BUDE’S promotion hopes took a further blow on Saturday as a depleted squad went down 34-17 at last year’s runners-up Helston.

An already tough day in prospect was made even harder following the late withdrawal of loosehead-prop Charlie Firman and full-back Will Pharo, which resulted Blaine Wickett stepping up from the bench alongside Josh Brown, who was making his return to the action after fracturing a cheekbone in the Cornwall Cup final against Truro in late August.

They were also missing the services of influential No.8 Fred Saxton, prop Alex Robinson, scrum-half Ollie Rowland and outside-centre Edy Hilliam-Cooke from the previous week's starting line-up, along with replacement three-quarter Josh Rowland, which meant that skipper Will Hockridge moved back a row to lock the scrum.

There was also a first appearance in the second row for recent signing Anthony Kennett and a recall at scrum-half for veteran Olly Mounce. Ben Tharme took Hilliam-Cooke's place in the centre.

It was no surprise that the Seasiders were a little slow out of the blocks and on six minutes the home side went ahead with a try from No.8 Jack Jenkin, converted by full-back Ben Rosevear.

Rosevear then extended Helston's lead in the 15th minute with an unconverted try for a 12-0 scoreline.

Worse was to come for the Seasiders early in the second quarter as fly-half Brad Thomas suffered a leg injury which reduced the visitors to 14 men for the remainder of the afternoon.

However, with their scrum holding up well and their line-out working smoothly, Bude began to make inroads into the hosts' territory and shortly before the half-hour mark, following a sustained period of forward pressure, Kennett went over for a try from close-range, converted by inside-centre Olly Denford, now operating at fly-half.

On 35 minutes second row Brad Howe extended the hosts' lead with his side's third try of the afternoon, which gave them a 17-7 lead at the break.

Bude needed to score next but left-wing Jordi Willey went over in the corner in the 45th minute for the try scoring bonus point.

A second try from Kennett just beyond the 50-minute mark made the scoreline 22-12 in Helston's favour, before right wing Olly Hallett dotted down in the 65th minute for 27-12.

A sixth and final try on 70 minutes from tighthead-prop Treave Cowls, converted by Rosevear, clinched the result for the home side, but in the closing minutes Bude did have the final word when Mounce went over from close-range after a strong attacking scrum and driven maul had created the scoring opportunity.

This Saturday, Bude take a break from league action as they entertain Dorchester from Counties Two Dorset & Wilts South League in the second-round of the RFU Community Cup (2.30pm).

BUDE: Blaine Wickett, Oscar Davey, Ben Tharme, Olly Denford, Cobi Yelland, Brad Thomas, Olly Mounce; Josh Brown, Harvey Cholwill, Fraser Martyn; Anthony Kennett, Hayden Chater; Finley Fry, Matt Maniglia, Will Hockridge (capt).

Tries: Kennett (2), Mounce; Convs: Denford; Pens: N/A.

Seasiders’ man-of-the-match: Will Hockridge.