BUDE’S crucial home clash with Torbay was abandoned with just under half an hour remaining following a serious ankle injury to a visiting player.

The South Devon side arrived in North Cornwall with just a one-point cushion and eighth in the standings, a position which would ensure them safety with two sets set for relegation.

The game started with a tight battle in the middle as both teams created half chances, but it was Bude who broke the deadlock when Matthew Horton scored from close-range.

Torbay’s response was almost instantaneous as they bounced straight back within mere minutes as a weak Bude pass around the back was swept up by the Torbay striker who was then one-on-one with home keeper Andy Davis before calmly lifting the ball into the goal.

This gave Torbay a renewed impetus which combined with some poor execution and decision-making from Bude meant that the next 15 minutes were heated and pressurised to say the least.

A number of smart saves by Davis kept his side level, but it was only a matter of time until the pressure bubble burst and a scrambled Bude defence were punished for not properly clearing the ball away as the Torbay striker poked home from short distance.

Bude crucially locked in during this tough spell and kept themselves in the game until the half-time whistle which then allowed a breather and refocus, some tactical switches and adjustments.

Those changes were then executed as they started the second half on top.

They piled the pressure on the visitors with some excellent team hockey and got the rewards with a brilliant goal from the returning Kristof Saunders to level the scores at 2-2.

Bude were on the charge and targeting a winner, but following an innocuous coming together on a rare breakaway, the Torbay player was injured.

The league were then informed and with only 41 of the 70 minutes played, it is likely the game will be rescheduled, particularly as both sides are in urgent need of points in their respective survival battles.

Bude return to action on Saturday when they visit University of Exeter Sixths (2.30pm).