BUDE’S hopes of securing a second place finish behind champions elect Camborne Seconds are now all but at an end after they conceded a 78th minute try to lose to Helston at Bencoolen Meadow.

Leading 19-17 with time rapidly running out at the end of the game, in going for a fourth try to secure a bonus point rather than playing out the remaining minutes, they chose the adventurous option over pragmatism and paid for it dearly.

After a loose pass was gobbled up by the visitors, the ball was quickly moved upfield, albeit with a distinct suspicion of a forward pass in the process, and with the Seasiders' defence stretched to breaking point, right wing Jordi Willey wide out near the touchline took the pass and cut back inside to gallop in under the posts.

Full back Tom Townsend slotted the simplest of conversions and Bude were bereft.

In the opening stages, Bude were quickly on the attack. In the fourth minute, as they sought to break down the visitors' defence, a telegraphed pass was intercepted by left wing Rhys Williams near the 10 metre line and he left the hosts' defence for dead as he sped up field and raced in under the posts. Full back Townsend added the extras and Helston led 7-0.

However the hosts responded with intent and on six minutes after a forward surge had been halted deep in Helston's 22, the ball was quickly recycled at the ensuring ruck and after the ball was moved down the Seasiders' three quarter line, left wing Oscar Davey showed excellent pace and footwork to finish in the corner.

Fly half Brad Thomas’ conversion attempt crept over off the upright and the scores were level. Then, just before the 15 minute mark, Helston were back in front with Williams dotting down his second try of the afternoon and Townsend again adding the extras to make it 7-14.

With play switching one way and then the other and with the next score likely to be vital, it was Bude's powerful pack that did the damage with around 10 minutes to go before the break.

After a series of drives had softened up the visitors' defence, number eight Fred Saxton broke left and he combined superbly with Davey to put the young winger in for his second score of the afternoon.

Thomas' conversion attempt fell just short of the uprights, but the deficit was back to two points.

Then, just before the break, Townsend extended his side's lead with a straight forward three points after Bude were caught offside in midfield. Helston now led 17-12.

On 50 minutes, the visitors' hooker Leo Armstrong-Lever was shown a yellow card, a victim of his side's mounting penalty count and during his absence the Seasiders took advantage to take the lead once more.

After the home pack had battered away at the Helston defensive line for an extended period, tighthead prop Anthony Kennett took a quick tapped penalty and was unstoppable from close range. Thomas added the extra two points and Bude now led for the first time, 19-17.

With the game now in the final quarter and the result still in the balance, the scoreboard remained unchanged until Willey's final clincher took his side home and Bude were left to rue what might have been.

This Saturday, Bude are away to basement club Bodmin.

Scores: Bude: Oscar Davey (2), Anthony Kennett (Tries), Brad Thomas (2 Conversions). Helston: Rhys Williams (2), Jordi Willey (Tries), Tom Townsend (3 Conversions and Penalty goal).

Bude Team: Olly Denford, Cobi Yelland, Edy Hilliam-Cooke, Joe Wilson, Oscar Davey, Brad Thomas, Ollie Rowland, Charlie Firman, Harvey Cholwill, Anthony Kennett, Will Hockridge (Captain), Alex Robinson, Finley Fry, Matt Maniglia, Fred Saxton. Replacements: Hayden Chater, Olly Mounce, Adam Lovejoy, Josh Rowland.

Bude's Player of the Match: Finley Fry