Cornwall and Devon League

Bude 45

Plym Albion Oaks 7

Bencoolen Meadow

WITH the wind in their favour, Bude began the game with a sterling display of forward power and back line fluency that resulted in two early tries for flanker Freddie Saxton and number eight Joe Wilson; both converted by Dan Pearce giving the hosts a 14 point lead in less than ten minutes.

They then, as they had done the previous week, suffered from a ten minute burst of sloppiness; misdirected passes, aimless kicking away of possession and a general lack of concentration that allowed PAO’s to establish a foothold in the game.

However a try by hooker Liam Cook following more good play from the backs and a concerted forward drive re-established their supremacy and opened the way for a further spate of try scoring.

A break by centre Duncan Tout, splitting the PAO defence asunder, was followed by an exquisite back of the hand pass to Dan Pearce who flew into the corner to score. The wind blew his conversion attempt off course.

Bude were now back on song and, chasing a kick ahead by Ollie Denford, Kyle Speare was able to take advantage of a defensive slip to send Ollie Denford in under the posts. Dan Pearce converted.

The final try of the half came after a forward surge created space for Andy Yates to burst through the defence before off-loading to brother Steve who dotted the ball down. Again Pearce converted for a half-time score of 38-0.

With the wind behind them and guided by the kicking of Oliver Thomas, PAO’s began the second half looking a different proposition to the first half — especially so when Bude forward Matt Williams was banished to the touchline following what was deemed a dangerous tackle for what is becoming his customary ten minute rest.

Sadly after eight minutes the PAO lock Dan Jones suffered what looked to be a serious neck injury and the game had to be halted for almost 50 minutes whilst he was attended to by the physios of both teams before the arrival of the paramedics — a long time to lie injured on a wet rugby field.

When the game restarted there was understandably a drop in intensity but PAO’s did manage to get on the score sheet with a try following what looked to be an illegally taken quick line-out. The try was well converted by Oliver Thomas.

Bude then responded with a try from Joe Wilson after a sweeping back movement had left the PAO defence in tatters. Dan Pearce kicked his fifth conversion.

The game ended early due to the fading light, but because of the score the result should be allowed to stand.