AFTER two big wins, a slightly threadbare Bude side were comfortably beaten in Plymouth on Saturday.

With Tilly Francis making her debut and several players having to switch positions, not helped by a late illness, they started the game with a bare 11.

Plymouth attacked Bude’s defence from the first whistle with Elsa Edwards and Tilly Collins making great tackles to keep them out of the D, and when they did get through, goalkeeper Jo Timmins made some crucial saves.

However, the hosts did get in front just before the break when a cross was slotted in at the far post.

Bude started the second half with a determination to get back on level terms and played some nice passing hockey, including seeing Izzy Sobey’s run past a defender where she got into the D before passing to Chloe Hall whose shot was deflected to the wrong side of the post.

Bude continued to press with Evie Varcoe, Katie Jackson and Hall working together to break into the home D creating chances only to see their efforts being cleared.

That said, Plymouth also had plenty of opportunites and added a second despite Bude appealing that the ball had gone out of play.

The hosts’ physical approach didn’t endear themselves to the visiting players, but Collins, Edwards, Naomi Hatcher and Emily Smart all put in crucial tackles.

However, they still continued to pile forward and after a third arrived when a cross from the left was tapped in at the far post, they added two more to put the icing on the cake.

Francis was the Seasiders’ player-of-the-match, and they are back in action on Saturday when they welcome Okehampton to the Budehaven Sports Centre (midday).