BUDE Women travelled to Plymstock Albion Oaks on Sunday, April 15, to participate in the Devon 10s tournament, and proved that Cornish teams can ruck and maul with the best of them.

Bude played four tough games against a mixture of sides from the league competition and the navy, demonstrating how much the women have developed over the past season under the coaching of Les Cushing. He said of the side: “I couldn’t be prouder of them all, everyone has worked so hard and is showing real gains.”

It was a chance to get on the scoring board for first-time try scorers Tia Gray, Lydia Furse, and new player Melanie Ruby who had a fantastic tournament, bringing speed and power to the Bude side.

Lisa Honey, also a try scorer, brought tenacity in tackling players off the pitch and darting attacking lines as well as fantastic kicking options, which speedy Frankie Perry could take advantage of to recapture the ball and score, adding to her already impressive try total for the season. Ema Glaze really shone throughout the tournament playing at hooker in set piece, then taking the wing in open play to run rings around the opposition, also scoring.

Bude defeated Devonport Services in an impressive 35-0 victory, despite the powerful scrum and forward runners of the navy side.

Victorious in two games, Bude lost narrowly to the eventual winners Plymstock Albion Oaks, whose players were also the star performers in the Bideford side who just pipped the final score of the last game.

Bude therefore took home the second-place trophy, the first silverware the side have earned.

The Bude players are fired up and ready to take the battle to them, having lost 20-15 in a close fought match which bodes well for the upcoming fixture at home on Sunday, April 22, for a 15 aside match, 2.30pm KO, all supporters welcome.