BUDE’S survival hopes remain in their own hands despite defeat at top three side Plymouth Lions.

The Seasiders – who had seen off North Devon 2-1 last weekend – headed across the border with some optimism as they had a full squad of 16 for the first time this season. But despite a battling performance, were undone by the better side on the day.

Both sides started positively and chances came at both ends of the pitch as the first quarter went swiftly with both teams on a par.

However, Plymouth delivered the first blow on 16 minutes from a well-worked penalty corner routine that was drag flicked expertly into the goal with practiced precision.

Bude didn’t panic and continued to ask questions of the Lions, and eventually drew back on level terms as Thomas Hall was in the right place at the right time to pounce on the ball at close-range and tuck the ball over the line.

The joy was short-lived though. As the adrenaline subsided, so did the concentration, and the Lions attacked when Bude were most vulnerable with a straight drive down the middle and earned themselves another penalty corner almost straight from the restart.

Full of confidence, they backed their set-play and despite the initial shot being saved this time by keeper Oscar Kirby, the rebound fell kindly to the supporting attackers who made no mistake with the second shot to edge them back in front.

Bude tried to respond before half-time but could not find the rhythm and cohesion to link the final passes together, thus going in with work to do.

The second half was similar to the first with both teams having chances, and the decisive moment came in the 45th minute as Bude earned themselves a penalty corner. However, their inconsistency over the season came back to haunt them as the routine went horribly awry and allowed Plymouth a simple but deadly counter-attack that they dispatched like a well-oiled machine.

With nothing to lose, Bude pushed on but Plymouth frustrated them by stalling and slowing the game down which only made things worse for Bude as they lost focus and rarely managed to create any further chances of note which meant the game fizzled out with Lions being comfortable winners due to the clinical nature of their attacking play.

Due to results elsewhere, Bude remain one point ahead in the battle for survival as just three teams are left fighting it out to the bitter end for the final place to avoid the drop.

Next up for Bude is their last home game against Plymouth University with the time and date just being finalised due to the University students requesting a late change due to them being away on the Easter break.

Although the Cornish side are trying to be accommodating, given the very little notice and time left in the season, it’s making it tricky.

And with Bude knowing that nothing less than a big performance and win is required, it means they are determined to ensure they have as good a squad available as possible.

The final game of the Seasiders’ season is set to be on April 18 when they once again head to Plymouth to tackle Devonport Services.