BUDE?proved a tough side for Paignton to break down in a hard-fought fixture on Saturday, but the visitors ultimately left the happier of the two teams.

Paignton couldn't manage to score the fourth try they wanted and earn a valuable bonus point — though four points on the road in Cornwall against a side in the same half of the table is not to be shunned.

Bude were without prop Adam Black, who was sent off against OPM last Saturday and will miss the next six weeks after being suspended by the club. Even so, without the former Worcester Warrior in their line-up, Paignton found the hosts hard to break down.

Following a first-half which saw no score, Paignton's director of rugby Nick Bodnar issued fresh instructions to his side, and the results were clear to see.

The visitors scored three tries in 20 minutes, more or less sealing the win as a result.

Bude did score two tries late on — one a push over, the other a catch and drive — but a lack of time on the clock meant there was no chance for them to establish a geniune comeback.

Try scorers for Paignton were Jake Bridgwood, Scott Vyle and Gareth Williams, while John Clare kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Paignton sit five points ahead of Bude in the table — the teams fifth and sixth respectively.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.