IT’S advantage to Bude following their slender victory over local rivals Bideford in the first leg of the inaugural Torridge versus Tamar Harpers Feeds Cup held at Bencoolen Meadow last Saturday. With the second leg set to take place onFebruary 21, both sides still have all to play for to decide the first winners of this new annual trophy.

Playing with a strong breeze behind them in the first half, Biddy dominated the opening exchanges and took the lead on 15 minutes. An excellent three-quarter break by the visitors overstretched the hosts' defence and allowed left-wing Kai Pett to offload inside to centre Mark Schofield who crossed for the first try. Fly-half Pat Sanders added the extras for 7-0.

However, despite the conditions in their favour in the opening half, Bideford failed to take advantage and continued to play from deep, being continually thwarted by Bude's solid defence, with outside-centre Ben Tharme and flankers Matt Maniglia and Finley Fry to the fore.

Then, having done the hard yards, the home side earned their reward just before the break when from a series of rucks after an attacking scrum, Fry went over from close-range.

The conversion attempt from fly-half Brad Thomas rebounded off the upright, but they went back within two.

Although Bude were now looking the stronger side, with second row Charlie Firman and No.8 Joe Wilson both prominent in attack, the third quarter was scoreless.

Then, on the hour mark and against the run of play, fly-half Sanders extended Bideford's lead with a penalty.

That score seemed to galvanise the hosts and following a sustained period of pressure, replacement wing Edy Hilliam-Cooke claimed Bude's second try as he dived in at the corner.

Unsurprisingly, Thomas was unable to add the extras, but with the scores level, the game was set for a grandstand finish.

Bude were given a boost when Richard Norman was shown a straight red card as tempers boiled over, allowing for a remarkable finish.

With time running out, Biddy had one last chance to seal the game as they chipped through from a promising attack.

However, in a collision of bodies from both sides, nobody was able to ground the ball in Bude's in-goal area and in the confusion fly-half Thomas was able to hack the ball down field. Chipping ahead, he re-gathered and dotted down for the winning score.

He added the conversion for good measure and for a seven-point lead, and although there was just time for the restart, a knock-on brought proceedings to an end.

This Saturday Bude return to league action with their first away trip of the season to Liskeard-Looe (3pm).

Meanwhile, Bude Seconds are at home to Veor in the Counties Thee Cornwall League Cup (2.30pm), while the Colts are away to Newton Abbot Colts in the first-round of the National Colts Cup competition. On Sunday, Bude Ladies are away to Truro in Women's NC 2 South West (West).

BUDE: Will Pharo; Oscar Davey, Ben Tharme, Olly Denford, Cobi Yelland; Brad Thomas, Ollie Rowland; Alex Robinson, Harvey Cholwill, Hayden Chater; Will Hockridge (capt), Charlie Firman; Finley Fry, Matt Maniglia, Joe Wilson. Replacements: Bailey Fackrell, Matt Shadrick, Chris Hill, Olly Mounce, Edy Hilliam-Cooke.

Tries: Thomas, Fry, Hilliam-Cooke; Convs: Thomas; Pens: N/A.

Seasiders’ man-of-the-match: Brad Thomas.