Saturday, March 2

Verde Recreo Hockey League

Southern Two

Camborne School of Mines 5

IN BLUSTERY conditions, Bude were unlucky to go behind early on as an infringement just inside the D was harshly judged to be a deliberate foul and instead of awarding a penalty corner it was immediately without hesitation upgraded to a penalty flick. The resulting flick was gratefully put away by the Camborne striker and the umpire’s actions had made it very clear he was going to take a tough stance on all infringements.

Bude tried to regroup but were hampered by the pitch which was very quick and bobbly making it hard for them to string together multiple passes and gain momentum.

They were given a slight reprieve when Camborne were reduced to ten men for two minutes for deliberately delaying a free-hit. Yet as Bude pushed for an equaliser, a quick home attack down the left was forced into the D where the left-winger came running in to slot home at the back-post to put them 2-0 up.

Bude took a well-earned rest over half-time and figured out how they might get a foothold in the game by focusing on positive hockey and determination to work together. This new outlook began to work and they dominated the second-half with great field position and steady possession.

Slowly but surely the pressure mounted as Bude forged more and more attacks with shots on goal but the Cornishmen remained resolute until an excellent passing move found young Jared Slade in space down the right-hand side from where he ran into the D and smartly lifted a lovely shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle past the advancing keeper.

The comeback was completed not long after when a short corner routine was initially blocked by the defenders, yet Tom Fry was on hand to pick the rebound up and after a quick spin and instinctive reverse stick shot, the ball went low and hard into the bottom corner.

The game was turned on its head by more umpiring decisions as having set the no tolerance stance earlier in the game the same umpire awarded two green cards in quick succession to both Bude’s central midfielders — reducing them to nine men.

Camborne seized the opportunity and fully utilised their bench of four substitutes to give them fresh and renewed impetus. Bude tried to defend as epitomised by stand-in captain and man-of-the-match Jordan Cunningham, who made many timely interventions. But it was all in vain as just as they were back to ten men, Camborne forced home a scrappy goal. This knocked the stuffing out of Bude and as they struggled to regain their shape, a fourth home goal was scored.

Bude fought valiantly to the end and pushed forward trying to get a goal back, but it was Camborne who scored next to give them a flattering 5-2 scoreline.

Team spokesman, Andy Davis, said: “We can take a lot of positives from the game and the added bonus that due to changes in the league structure, plus other results going our way, we are now guaranteed safety from relegation and live to fight another season.

“This should allow us to enjoy our last three games pressure free, starting with Saturday’s local derby at home to Bodmin.”

West Clubs Women’s Hockey League

South Division

White Eagles 4

Bude 0

BUDE remain right in the relegation mix after a 4-0 defeat against second-bottom White Eagles at Tiverton School.

The Cornish ladies found themselves 3-0 down at the break, and although they improved in the second-half, Bude conceded once more as they fell to a fourth successive defeat.

That leaves them third-bottom with 14 points from as many matches.

However, such is the tight nature of the league, they are only three points off fourth-placed Penzance who are the visitors to Budehaven Sports Centre on Saturday (2.30pm).

Crucially, three of their final four matches are at home which ends with a visit from leaders Newquay on March 30.