Western Counties League (West)

Bude 7

Truro 24

ON A BEAUTIFUL afternoon at Bencoolen Meadow, two teams weakened by losses to the flu virus failed to produce a match that in any way did justice to the weather as Truro battled their way to a 24-7 victory and leave Bude firmly stuck in the relegation mire.

Bude had territorial advantage throughout much of the first-half, but apart from some fine runs by Dan Pearce, failed to get near the visitors try line.

Indeed, with what was probably the first act of cohesive rugby, Truro scored the opening try. Centre Matt Symons sliced through the disorganised Bude defence before passing to brother Josh who dotted down in the corner.

The try went unconverted but Truro went into the half-time break with a slender 5-0 lead.

The second-half showed little improvement on the first, however, Truro A Bude line-out throw close to halfway went hopelessly awry, gifting possession to Ross Denning who galloped through a gaping hole before feeding hooker Ben Teasdale who went in under the posts for a try that Ashley Hoskins converted.

Luke Trescothick increased Truro’s advantage shortly afterwards when he burst through a series of weak tackles to cross the line. This time the conversion was missed.

At 17-0 Truro looked comfortable, but Bude’s strong forwards, ably led by Chris Allin, Jason Bolt, James Comber and Dave Gregory, dragged Bude back into the game, eventually mauling their way across the line allowing replacement Matt Williams to force his way over.

Pearce converted from out wide and at 17-7 down Bude looked to have hope of at least snatching a bonus point.

Sadly, Bude made a complete hash of the Truro restart kick and ended up pinned five metres from their own line.

From here Truro worked Ben Teasdale free and he scampered through a non-existent defence to score his second, and Truro’s bonus point try.

The game was then soured by an act of inexcusable violence as Ethan Pattison was sent-off.

The game then meandered to its conclusion with both sides and the spectators happy to hear the final whistle.

Bude:

Try: Williams

Conv: Pearce

Pens: N/A

Truro:

Tries: Teasdale 2, L Trescothick, J Symons

Convs: Hoskins 2

Pens: N/A