BUDE'S trip up the M5 to Weston-super-Mare based fellow strugglers Hornets proved to be fruitless, as they were heavily defeated by six tries, three conversions and a penalty goal to two converted tries and a penalty goal, writes Paul Cottle.

Indeed, but for disciplinary measures which saw the Hornets start the season with a nine point deduction, they would be on the edges of the promotion mix and on this form, would be a good bet.

When the Seasiders arrived at Hutton Moor, it was clear the pitches were sodden after heavy rain during the preceding week, so it was no surprise when they were told the match was being switched to a Council pitch at the nearby Sports Centre. That pitch was certainly an improvement and it was the home side who benefited most from the relocation.

In the opening minutes, as both sides tested out each and to a degree the referee, early penalty chances for both sides went begging, with both kickers slow to find their range. However, it was the home side who took the lead on 17 minutes and after his pack had created a good attacking platform with a series of 'pick and go' drives, Matt Vaughan, a barrelling outside centre, with a build more suitable to the front row, powered over the opening score. His fly half Sam Lloyd Jones added the extras.

Within two minutes, Bude were further behind, when their fly half Ollie Rayner was caught in possession in midfield and as the ball was released, it was scooped up by Vaughan's centre partner Iain Marshall, who sped in, almost untouched from 30 metres. This time, Lloyd Jones' conversion attempt was off target.

Stung into action, Bude responded with a period of sustained pressure and in the 27th minute, from a well worked move off a lineout, flanker Will Kingdon was put through a gap to run in by the posts. Rayner slotted the conversion and at 12-7, the visitors were right back in contention.

However, they were rocked back on their heels four minutes later, when some pretty slack tackling allowed Hornets' No 8 Paul Morrissey to build up a head of steam and touch down for his side's third try of the afternoon. Then, just before the break, Hornets went further ahead when Lloyd Jones kicked a close range penalty goal, after Bude's full back Olly Denford was caught in possession and was forced to hold on in the tackle.

20-7 down at half time, it was clear Bude needed an early score if they were to get back into the game, but it was not to be as Vaughan blasted his way through yet more poor tackling and went over for his second try. Lloyd Jones added the extras to increase his side's lead to 27-7.

A 48th minute penalty goal by Rayner, after a late tackle had left Denford prostrate on the turf, gave the visitors a brief glimpse of a chance, but when Vaughan crossed for his hat-trick in the 54th minute, following good work by his full back Nick Francis, the game was as good as up, with scrum half James Cox kicking the conversion, as Lloyd Jones received treatment for a knock.

Both sides introduced a number of replacements, as the heavy conditions took their toll and in the 71st minute Vaughan finished off his side's scoring with his fourth try of the afternoon, after Lloyd Jones and Francis had done the spade work.

With a minute remaining, Bude did gain some consolation with an excellent try by replacement right wing Martin Green, after the visitors had broken from deep, with Kingdon and outside centre Paul Williams prominent. Rayner slotted a fine conversion from the touchline, but it was too little to late and a 39-17 scoreline was a fair reflection on Bude's unsuccessful foray into the cider county.

This Saturday, Bude entertain league leaders Cullompton at Bencoolen Meadow, whose promotion chase is rapidly becoming a procession. The Seasiders will be looking for a much improved performance, as they seek to inflict a bloody nose on their table topping visitors.

Scorers: Hornets: Matt Vaughan (4 tries), Iain Marshall, Paul Morrissey (tries), Sam Lloyd Jones (2 conversions and penalty goal). Bude: Will Kingdon, Martin Green (tries), Ollie Rayner (2 conversions and penalty goal).

Bude: Olly Denford, Mark Dennis (Martin Green), Paul Williams, Andy Yates, Ollie Rayner, Ollie Mounce, Barry Lucas, Dan Miles, Barry Sobey (Capt), Matt Williams (Joel Troke), John Hiscock, Will Kingdon, Dan Statton (Gareth Walker) and Tom David.

Referee: Mr N Cutland (Bristol RRS).