Seasiders slip closer to the trap door after thrashing

BUDE have to overturn a 20-point deficit with just five games remaining if they are to maintain their third-tier status following a 10-wicket hammering at leaders Wadebridge Seconds on Saturday.

The Seasiders won the toss on a belter of a pitch but slipped to 24-6 before eventually reaching a paltry 72 all out.

After Matt Williams struck two glorious boundaries off Ollie Bate, he had appeared to have repeated the feat, only for a superb one-handed diving catch from Paul Menhenick at point to send him back.

Wayne Adams was forced to play out four straight maidens against Charlie Ellis’ excellent off-spin, and the pressure on the left-hander and skipper Warren Rumble eventually told when the latter aimed a big shot into the leg-side off Bate, only to get a leading edge as Sam Richards ran back from second slip to complete a fine catch.

Adams went in the next when he plonked Ellis to Richard Atkinson at mid-wicket, and in the next over Bate had his third as Andrew De Rosa was plumb lbw for nought.

Ellis, who conceded just nine from his nine overs, got a second as debutant Tom Wigley top-edged a big shot into the leg-side.

Bate (5-26 off 9) got a deserved five-fer before David Sillifant (13 off 19) and Matthew Mansbridge (21no off 30) hung around for a while, as did Peter Ellis (8) before the end came at 72.

Wadebridge wasted no time in knocking the runs off in just 8.4 overs as the promoted Jamie Beare walloped 48 not out off from just 23 balls alongside Sam Richards who was unbeaten on 28.

Bude face a must-win home clash this weekend with Tintagel (1pm), while the Swans, who have a 32-point lead at the top, visit neighbours Lanhydrock.