BUDE battled hard but ultimately were well-beaten by a St Austell side who secured second with a 4-1 victory in Truro.

The Seasiders have had a transitional year with plenty of youngsters making their way into senior hockey, and were soon stretched all over the pitch by their hosts.

However, Bude held firm as tackles from Tilly Collins, Emily Smart, EV Varcoe and Naomi Hatcher denied the home side, and when they did get through ran into Jo Timmins who made several key saves.

As St Austell continued to commit players high up the pitch, this opened up the game for Bude to exploit the gaps.

Tilly Francis attacked down the right and found Chloe Hall she forced her way into the D where she passed the ball into Charlotte Kingdon’s path, only to see her shot saved.

The Saints were getting frustrated by Bude’s tenacity to keep the score at 0-0 with Caroline Hockridge, Mia Flynn and Maeva Motsch spoiling St Austell’s play by putting in tackles and tracking players into the corners and away from their D.

St Austell were moving the ball quickly and took the lead via Vicky Jarman.

Bude continued to play their game, putting St Austell under pressure and got a short corner. Hatcher pushed the ball out to Hockridge who slipped the ball left to Kingdon whose shot was fired into the goal. However, the celebrations were short-lived as it was disallowed for being too high.

To make matter worse, Ella Dyer soon scored from a well-worked short corner to make it 2-0.

After a good team talk, Bude came out revitalised and soon pulled one back. Hockridge recycled the ball out of midfield to Hall who went past two defenders before passing to Kingdon whose first time shot went past the home keeper.

St Austell were a little shaken by Budes refusal to lie down and the visitors soon introduced usual goalkeeper Rachel Pomeroy in defence.

As in the first half Bude had to spend lots of the time soaking up pressure, but when they did have the ball they pushed their way into the home D. However, they weren't able to convert the short corners, seeing chances saved or going wide of the post.

St Austell used their big squad to rotate players and as Bude tired they applied the pressure. A shot from the top of the D was saved by Timmins but not cleared, allowing Dyer to slot in her second. As the game reached the final five minutes, the Saints got the ball to Jarman who made no mistake for her second of the afternoon.

A team spokesperson said: “A big thank you to all of our coaches who have been pivotal in the progress of the ladies throughout the season, while seeing them grow into the team we have become with a smile and teamwork.”