Cornwall and Devon League

Withycombe 19

Bude 40

Raleigh Park

BUDE are going to take some stopping at the tip of the Cornwall and Devon League table after beating one of the few sides that are still in the promotion race.

The gap between Bude at the top and second-placed St Ives is ten points with just 15 points left to play for. Withies are a further 15 points back in third but with three games in hand due to their involvement in the RFU Senior Vase.

Two more wins will guarantee Bude a promotion slot — though one will do it if Withycombe lose to St Ives on Saturday.

Bude ran up an impressive 35-0 half time lead and from then on Withycombe had it all to do.

The Raleigh Park side improved in the second half and scored three tries to Bude’s one but it was too little too late. The damage had already been done long before then though and both sides knew it.

Withycombe — Tries: Channing, J Pugsley, Councel. Convs: Steer x2

Bude — Tries: Wilson, Kingdom, Speare x2; Tout, Pearce. Convs: Pearce x5

• BUDE are home to Exeter Saracens this Saturday at their Bencoolen Meadow ground. Saracens currently sit second from bottom so Bude will hope for a potentially high-scoring victory, whilst also having one eye on what’s going on between St Ives and Withycombe.