BUDE’S hopes of survival in Counties One Western West took a blow on Saturday despite picking up two useful bonus points as rivals Plymstock Albion Oaks relit their own bid. 

While Bude were narrowly edged out 29-28 at home to third-placed Pirates Amateurs, the Oaks who in all honesty had to win, produced a superb performance to thrash mid-table Bideford 60-19 at the Horsham Playing Fields.

The result means Plymstock are three points ahead (36), but crucially, Bude have two games in-hand.

Plymstock have just three games to go.They make the long trip to Penzance to take on Pirates Amateurs on Saturday before a home game with Wiveliscombe on March 4 and a final day clash at already relegated Falmouth who have yet to win.

Bude make the trip into Somerset on Saturday to tackle Wiveliscombe before a rearranged clash at another mid-table side, Penryn, next weekend.

A must-win home clash with Falmouth is the task on March 4 before they end the campaign with successive away trips to Kingsbridge and Tiverton, both of whom are in the middle of the pack.

Paignton, who are two behind Bude having played a game more, beat Falmouth 84-17 on Saturday and travel to Kingsbridge this weekend before welcoming the top two in Cullompton and Topsham.

Their final day task is against Penryn at Queens Park.

Bude led 14-5 at half-time on Saturday against an impressive Pirates outfit thanks to tries from Finley Fry and Rory Mead.

And although Ben Hancock scored for the hosts, Pirates fought back to lead 29-21.

But Matt Williams’ score ensured a fourth try and with it two bonus points for losing within seven.

See this week’s Post for Paul Cottle’s match report from Bencoolen Meadow.