THE November weather conditions may have been anything but kind, with gales and rain lashing the Westcountry, but Bude seem to have finally found their feet on the sodden turf, with three victories on the bounce after a very patchy September and October, which now sees them steadily climbing the table up to sixth place, following a gritty, if unspectacular, win over highfliers Truro in filthy conditions at Bencoolen Meadow last Saturday, writes Paul Cottle.

Despite the recent heavy rain, the ground was looking a real picture prior to kick off and, although by the final whistle it was showing signs of a heavy pounding by two committed sides, that it stood up well was a credit to Bert Stephens and his team of helpers whose hard work, especially over the summer months, is beginning to pay dividends.

Having returned to the Western Counties West League after a two year absence and led by former county coaching supremo Phil Angove, the young and talented Truro side have made a fine start to the season, currently in fourth place in the table behind pace setters Camborne and Kingsbridge,

Bude, therefore, knew their visitors would be a tough nut to crack if they were to continue their recent revival in form. In truth the Seasiders had the lion's share of both territory and possession and but for a wasteful first half when they squandered a number of possible scoring chances, only to trail by 8 points at the break, they really should have won with something to spare, rather than clinging on under the severest of pressure in the final minutes, as they defended their slim four point lead.

Bude opened strongly with the elements in their favour and were soon on the attack with their back row of Rob Uglow, Will Kingdon and Lee Weston carrying the ball to good effect and their half backs, the Yates brothers, Steve and Andy, controlling the play and full back Matt Trewin a constant threat from deep.

However, it was a mix-up under a high ball between Trewin and right wing Timmy Green which allowed the visitors to take the lead on eight minutes, as their outside centre Justin Irons seized upon the loose ball and sped in from 30 metres with the cavalry closing in from all sides. Bude went further behind 12 minutes later as fly half Scott Martin slotted over the simplest of kicks from straight in front of the uprights, as the home pack were caught offside at a ruck 20 metres out.

The Seasiders responded with typical vigour, but with the visitors playing to the edge of the laws, they couldn't break down the stubborn Truro defence, even with one man short, with flanker Shaun Roseveare in the bin for ten minutes, as the referee Mr Bickle finally lost patience with their tactics at the breakdown.

At the turnaround, eight points adrift and with conditions worsening and the elements now against them, Bude knew they had it all to do in the second period if they weren't to squander the good work of the first half. The loss of Trewin with concussion was a heavy blow in more ways than one, which limited the home side's options out wide and piled on the pressure up front to come up with a score, any kind of score, to put them back in touch.

Eventually on 60 minutes the pack came up with the goods. With tighthead prop Barry Sobey in his element at the heart of a driving maul rapidly gaining momentum, the Truro eight couldn't live with the pressure and loosehead prop Matt Williams was credited with the score, 15 metres in from touch. Brother Paul, entrusted with the conversion attempt, judged his kick to perfection and a late gust of wind took the ball inside the near upright.

Now only one point adrift, Bude's tails were up and virtually from the re-start were at it again, driving a maul deep into the visitors' territory and as the drive began to falter there was replacement flanker Joe Wilson on hand to burst through the middle and score with an outrageous dive, much to the delight of his team-mates and the home supporters on the touchline. Williams couldn't repeat the magic of his previous kick, but with a four point margin, the visitors had to gamble and go for a try, a penalty kick wouldn't be enough.

Truro came back strongly with a combination of the elements and fly half Martin's trusty right boot pegging Bude back deep on the defensive. However, with Darren Jasper showing a cool head under pressure at the rear, he managed to kick the hosts out of trouble on a number of occasions and with his pack also showing a cussed determination not to crack, their line held firm.

A couple of five metre scrums just short of their own line in the closing minutes tried every sinew, but with hooker Dave Risdon and his props Williams and Sobey as wily as they are tough, the visitors couldn't get over the whitewash and at the final whistle Steve Yates was able to hook the ball off the park, much to the relief and delight of his own side and supporters safe in the knowledge of a job well done and two points secured in trying circumstances.

This Saturday, the Seasiders make the short trip down the A39 to near neighbours, promotion chasing, Wadebridge Camels, for what promises to be yet another tough fixture. However, with three successive wins under the belts, Bude can travel with confidence.

Scorers — Bude: Matt Williams, Joe Wilson (tries), Paul Williams (conversion). Truro: Justin Irons (try); Scott Martin (penalty goal).

Bude: Matt Trewin (Darren Jasper), Timmy Green, Ben Couch, Paul Williams, Mark Dennis, Andy Yates, Steve Yates (capt), Matt Williams, Dave Risdon, Barry Sobey, Paul Cholwill (Joe Wilson), Luke Dunkin, Rob Uglow (Dave Uglow), Will Kingdon and Lee Weston.

Referee: Mr Andy Bickle (Launceston - Devon RRS).