BUDE failed to make it four straight league wins as they were held to a 3-3 at OPM in Southern Two of the GoCrea8 Hockey League.

The North Cornwall side made the short trip to Plymouth in fantastic form after scoring six times in three consecutive games.

However, after a fairly even start, OPM made the first decisive move to open the scoring with a crisp shot from the top of the D.

Bude struggled to find their rhythm and were made to pay when OPM converted their next chance on goal to make it 2-0. The next phase of the game was a real scrappy affair as a number of players from both sides were shown green cards for various tackles and dissent towards the umpires but it was Bude who kept focused and managed to create the better opportunities.

They were eventually being rewarded when Cayden Gill opend his account with a smart reverse stick tap in at the backpost following some slick passing from the midfield.

The half-time team talk was to concentrate on keeping cool heads to ensure they had 11 players on the pitch at all times and simple passing using the width of the pitch would give Bude the best chance of taking something from the game.

With these words ringing in their ears, they got off to the worst possible start as OPM restored their two-goal lead with a fortuitous deflected shot.

Bude rallied and stuck to the task spreading the ball wide as often as possible and this created a number of clear goalscoring chances but they were unable to convert any.

Just when it seemed like it was going to be one of those days, they were given hope as they converted trusted short corner routine number three with Paul Floyd slotting home after injecting the ball.

With renewed hope, Bude continued to press forward and got their third when Jon Elliot received the ball in the middle and drove wide right to then unselfishly cross the ball for Gill to pop up again at the backpost and finish into an empty net.

The visitors had further chances to win the game but were not able to take any, yet a draw was a probably a fair result for both teams.

Bude, who are currently third in the table having picked up 10 points from their are in action this Saturday when they entertain Plymouth University A, who are two points further ahead in the table.

Kick-off at Budehaven School’s astroturf pitch is at 2.30pm.