WITH the pre-Christmas party season seemingly in full swing, Bude had very little to cheer them at the Recreation Ground last Saturday, as they were put to the sword in the second half by a rampant Camborne side, chasing hard on the heels of league leaders Kingsbridge, with left wing Tom Notman bagging a double brace of tries into the bargain. To compound their misery the Seasiders had hooker Dave Risdon sent off at the final whistle, following an altercation on the ground with Town's replacement scrum half Dean Pascoe, writes Paul Cottle.

After the mud and rain of the previous few weeks, it was a pleasure to arrive in "mining country" to find the Recreation Ground in excellent condition, on a crisp and sunny afternoon, with a good crowd anticipating a spirited match, having escaped the scrum of present shopping on the high street.

From the opening exchanges it was clear that both sides were keen to run the ball, although ironically the first score came courtesy of Camborne prop Nigel Endean from a close range, after a sweeping three quarter move had been halted metres short of the line. Fly half David Mankee converted from wide out and straight away the visitors knew their defence would have to be on its mettle to contain the lively home attack. However, within a further two minutes Bude were level as right wing Matt Trewin collected a superbly weighted cross-field kick from fly half Andy Yates, stepped his opposite number and sped in from 30 metres and then converted his touchdown from in front of the uprights.

Twelve minutes in and Town were back in front as Notman crossed for the first of his quartet of tries, following good work by No 8 David Roberts, but this time Mankee's conversion attempt was off target. However, seven minutes later Notman was on the scoresheet again, this time an excellent individual effort from long distance, following a defensive scrum in Camborne's own 22, with Mankee adding the extras to take his side 19-7 ahead.

It was fast and furious stuff, with both sides enjoying the conditions and with the game barely into the second quarter Trewin reduced the deficit to nine points as he slotted over his second successful kick, following a penalty for offside at the breakdown. Bude were now right back in the game and six minutes later Trewin had a chance to close the margin to one score with a penalty attempt from 30 metres out, after a dangerous tackle on tighthead prop Barry Sobey, as the visitors' pack drove into the "red" zone, but unfortunately his kick slid past the posts.

Finally, the pace began to slow as both sides took stock, with, it has to be admitted, some pretty indifferent aerial "ping-pong", which drew some caustic comments from the stands.

At the break Camborne remained 19-10 ahead and the Seasiders knew they had to claim the first score of the second half if they were to remain in touch in and in with a chance. Sadly, it was not to be as almost from the re-start Mankee was on target with a straightforward penalty attempt, as the visitors were caught offside in midfield. 22-10 soon became 29-10, as right wing Cameron Bone touched down on 47 minutes, with Mankee slotting the conversion and either side of the hour mark Notman crossed twice in close succession, as Bude's defence was overrun, with Mankee again on target with the conversion attempts.

With plenty of time still remaining on the clock the half century of points was looking probable, but to their credit the visitors rallied and their defence refused to capitulate. Outside centre Ben Couch had a couple of good runs and replacement right wing Dan Denton also caught the eye with a couple of half breaks, but neither could break the shackles of Camborne's strong defence and as the clock ticked down the game became a little scrappy.

Finally came Risdon's dismissal, which appeared rather harsh when Pascoe looked equally at fault, but it rather summed up Bude's day; a tasty first course, followed by an off colour seconds and a bitter pill to swallow at the finish. The referee's report will be awaited with interest.

This Saturday the Seasiders return to home territory after two weeks on the road, as they entertain struggling Devonport Services. When the sides met at the Rectory Field in mid-September Services triumphed 33-19, as their visitors put in a dismal performance. Bude therefore have every incentive to set the record straight, as they seek a confidence boosting victory so as to consolidate their mid-table position in their last fixture before the Christmas and New Year break.

Scorers: Camborne: Tom Notman (4 tries), Cameron Bone, Nigel Endean (tries) David Mankee (5 conversions and penalty goal). Bude: Matt Trewin (try, conversion and penalty goal)

Bude: Olly Denford, Matt Trewin (Dan Denton), Ben Couch, Steve Yates (Capt), Timmy Green, Andy Yates, Ollie Mounce, Matt Williams, Dave Risdon, Barry Sobey (Gaz Walker), Will Kingdon, Luke Dunkin, Dave Barnes, Rob Uglow, and Lee Weston (Mini Fry).

Referee: Mr Andy Robinson (Newquay – Cornwall RRS).