BUDE put daylight between themselves and basement club Withycombe with a hard fought victory over the Exmouth based club at Raleigh Park last Saturday, by a converted try and two penalty goals to a converted try, writes Paul Cottle.

After difficult a transitional season during which the Seasiders initially struggled to come to terms with the myriad of experimental law variations being trialled by the International Rugby Board and also the introduction of a host of promising youngsters to league rugby, this win ensures that they will finish off the bottom of the table, irrespective of the result of their final match with local rivals Wadebridge Camels a week on Saturday.

Bude can indeed count themselves fortunate that with the RFU re-organising the leagues there is no relegation from the Western Counties West League this year. They can therefore look forward to Level 7 rugby again next season, when with the likely re-introduction of their traditional favourite "the maul" after its temporary unsuccessful suspension and their youngsters being one year older and probably considerably the wiser after their baptism of fire this term, they will be hoping to make a much better fist of things next time out.

On a beautifully warm spring afternoon, much better suited to the rapidly approaching cricket season, Bude played up the slope and into the breeze in the first half and as expected Withycombe came hard at them in the opening exchanges, pinning the visitors deep in their own territory.

However, good defensive work by the Seasiders kept the home side at bay and it was only on 30 minutes that Withies finally went ahead to gain some reward for all their efforts. A long raking kick from their fly half Ben Mardle forced Bude to concede a lineout in their own 22, only for the visitors to snaffle the ball from the throw and then lose it again at the ensuing set scrum. A classic back row move saw flanker Mike Wilson make good ground, before putting tighthead prop Dave Thomson in under the posts, for Mardle to add the extras.

With five minutes of the half remaining, Bude were back within touching distance when their top try scorer Paul Williams, at inside centre, crashed his way over after a lovely half break by his midfield partner Ollie Rayner, at outside centre, had opened up the hosts' defence, following an attacking scrum some 30 metres out. Rayner made no mistake with the conversion and at the break the sides were level, with the elements set to favour the visitors in the second half.

For long periods, both teams ran strongly, but were unable to unlock determined defences and it appeared that a draw might be on the cards. However, the needless yellow carding of loosehead prop Matt Williams just short of the hour mark for foul play spurred his side on to even greater efforts and when Withies' full back Ben Scott also departed to the bin for an even more pointless temper tantrum, the visitors took their chance. From the resulting penalty award, Rayner's kick sailed high and handsome between the uprights and on 74 minutes he struck again when the home side were caught offside in midfield.

With both sides restored to a full complement, Withycombe made one final desperate attempt to snatch the points and a strong run by their left wing Jimmy Holman was halted only metres from the line. From the resulting scrum, they had a golden opportunity to work a back row move, but canny disruption by the Bude eight forced the hosts to handle illegally and concede the penalty. The last scoring chance was gone and it was the Seasiders who returned home with the spoils of victory.

In contrast to years gone by when Easter was traditionally a time for Westcountry rugby clubs to host touring sides from across the land, Bude players can put their feet up this holiday weekend, before they return the following week to entertain their promotion chasing North Cornwall rivals to round off the season.

Scorers: Withycombe: Dave Thomson (try), Ben Mardle (conversion). Bude: Paul Williams (try), Ollie Rayner (conversion and 2 penalty goals).

Bude: Olly Denford, Martin Green, Ollie Rayner, Paul Williams, Mark Dennis, Steve Yates (capt), Ollie Mounce, Matt Williams, Barry Lucas, Thabo Mitchell, Tom David, John Hiscock, Will Kingdon, Joel Troke and Dave Uglow. Replacements: Luke Dunkin, Matt Trewin and Adam Williams.

Referee: Mr Derek Keeling (Wellington – Devon RRS).