Tribute Cornwall and Devon League

Bude 28

Plymouth Argaum 3

Bencoolen Meadow

PROCEEDINGS commenced at Bencoolen Meadow with a minute’s silence for the recently deceased Brian Barlow, a man who made notable contributions both on and off the field to Bude RFC.

Bude began the game looking like a team who had not played for a couple of weeks and this untidiness was punished when Argaum took the lead through a Tom Richards penalty.

Argaum continued to press but the pressure was relieved when a kick was charged down and a subsequent barging run down the right touchline by Kyle Speare not only laid waste his opposite number but also seemed to raise the spirits of his tem-mates and Bude began to look like a promotion hunting team.

A powerful scrum, led by the front row of the ancient Barry Sobey and Jason Bolt, ended with a try for number eight Joe Wilson who ploughed his way over the line from close range. Dan Pearce landed a difficult conversion to give Bude a 7-3 advantage.

Bude were then beleaguered by strange tactics and aimless kicking that seemed to be wasting the potential of their talented outside backs. One such misdirected kick resulted in a surge from Argaum who laid siege to the Bude line with a series of well-constructed phases. Bude’s defence was determined and when a titanic tackle from James Comber dislodged the ball from Argaum possession they were able to relieve the pressure.

Difficult underfoot conditions were making cohesive rugby difficult and play at this point could best be described as messy. However, amidst this mess came a moment of rugby magic. Bude forwards in the shape of Will Kingdon turned over Argaum ball, in a fashion that greatly displeased their bench, and the ball was quickly transferred to Dan Pearce who flew 50 metres down the pitch leaving behind him a trail of bewildered would-be tacklers before offloading beautifully to the supporting Ollie Denford who raced in for Bude’s second try. Pearce again converted.

Bude further increased their lead when centre Duncan Tout cut a sweet line following a well-controlled rolling maul to leave the defence flat footed before dotting down under the posts. Pearce kicked the conversion.

Bude turned around for the second half with three tries in the bag and searching for the bonus point try but found Argaum dour and determined opponents who were not about to roll over and offer any easy scores. Much of the play was disjointed but Bude defended well for long periods before establishing a foothold in enemy territory. All their efforts to land the fourth try seemed to be in vain as attack after attack was repelled by resolute defence.

Fortunately Bude’s replacements Joel Troke, Adam Williams and Liam Cook added vigour to the Bude ranks, Joel Troke in particular being an authorative figure at the line outs and the pressure began to take its toll on the Argaum defence.

The bonus point was final achieved when Kyle Speare burst through the middle of the defensive line scattering defenders like the good seed on the land to score under the shadow of the posts. Pearce who had had a fine all round game converted again.

Argaum were not finished and attacked Bude with renewed energy in a desperate search for a consolation score turning down a couple of kickable penalty chances to go for a try. Bude’s defence was heroic and a crushing Duncan Tout tackle put an end to their efforts allowing Bude to see out the remaining minutes in relative comfort.

Bude — Tries: Wilson, Denford, Tout, Speare. Cons: Pearce x4.

Plymouth Argaum — Pen: Richards