BUDE’s women put in a fantastic performance with just nine players but fell to a 2-0 defeat to?Exeter University.

The visitors went into the game expecting a tough encounter against a much older team who are currently joint second in the league.

Bude worked hard to keep the ball away from their 25-yard line but the university broke through and scored within the first ten minutes.

Despite the home side’s player advantage, the North Cornwall club kept attacking hard, keeping possession and using the full width of the pitch to slow down the opposition.

However, a failure to take their chances cost them in the end as three short corners in quick succession for the home side, eventually led to them doubling their advantage.

The defence made up of Claire James, Lou Shepherd and Grace Chan worked extremely hard during the first-half with Jo Timmins in top form behind them. The defence switched the ball to the left and right midfield, as opposed to hitting everything straight through the middle while midfielders Rachael Pomeroy and Anna Bury decided to keep sending balls down the sides to keep the ball at the other end of the pitch.

Emily Shears worked hard up front on her own drawing Exeter’s defence back, which allowed Emily Shepherd and Claire Pipe more room in the centre to move the ball around.

Bude came out in the second-half and played some of their best hockey of the season but couldn’t get that elusive goal.

They’re now just one point above the bottom two after Okehampton’s victory over White Eagles ahead of their crucial home clash with Taunton Vale seconds on Saturday (2.30pm).