FOLLOWING their relegation from Counties One Western West League, Bude got their campaign off to a great start last Saturday with an emphatic seven-try victory over St Just at Bencoolen Meadow.

Bude's squad certainly had a new look about it this season, featuring no less than four of last year's Colts team, so perhaps dropping a league level will be no bad thing in the long run.

Playing towards the Clubhouse and into a stiff easterly breeze in the first half, the home side were on the defensive early on.

However, it was Bude who broke the deadlock on 10 minutes as left-wing Oscar Davey, showing excellent pace and deft footwork, scooted up the touchline from the visitors' 10-metre line and dotted down in the corner. Fly-half Brad Thomas was unable to convert, but in the 19th minute the hosts extended their lead as Davey provided the scoring pass to full-back Will Pharo, who did the rest.

Again the conversion attempt from wide out on the left, this time from inside-centre Olly Denford, failed to find its mark (10-0).

The remainder of the half was scoreless, but following the break Bude now had the elements in their favour.

Joe Wilson was introduced into the back row and he was soon making his mark with some characteristic breaks from the base of the scrum, but it was the Tigers who responded as Ethan Milford powered over from close range after a quickly-taken tapped penalty. Inside-centre Callum Nicholas added the extras (10-7).

This was just the wake-up call Bude needed and on 48 minutes, following a slick three-quarter move following a penalty award, Pharo dotted down for his second try of the afternoon, with fly-half Thomas adding the conversion.

Then, six minutes later, Wilson picked up from the base and was unstoppable from 10 metres out. With the try scoring bonus point now in the bag, again Thomas converted and Bude were clear at 24-7.

Just before the hour mark, Wilson claimed the home side's fifth try following excellent work from the excellent Alex Robinson, with Thomas slotting the extras to stretch the lead to 31-7.

St Just responded with a try of their own from prop Curtis Salter after Bude skipper Will Hockridge was penalised for holding on, but the hosts still had time for two more tries.

Right wing Ed Hilliam-Cooke broke through for the Seasiders' sixth try, again converted by Thomas, before the fly-half polished off a fine display by the home side with a try and a conversion as he dotted down under the posts.

This Saturday, Bude are again at home in league action, with Wadebridge Camels Seconds the visitors (3pm).

Meanwhile, Bude Seconds get their season under way at Falmouth Seconds in the Counties Three Cornwall League Cup, while Bude Colts are also at home to Newquay Hornets in the Cornwall Colts League (1pm).

BUDE: Will Pharo; Ed Hilliam-Cooke, Ben Tharme, Olly Denford, Oscar Davey; Brad Thomas, Ollie Rowland;Alex Robinson, Harvey Cholwill, Hayden Chater; Will Hockridge (capt), Charlie Firman; Finley Fry, Matt Maniglia, Fred Saxton. Replacements: Bailey Fackrell, Joe Wilson, Olly Mounce, Cobi Yelland.

Tries: Pharo (2), Wilson (2), Davey, Hilliam-Cooke, Thomas; Convs: Thomas (5); Pens: N/A.

Seasiders’ man-of-the-match: Alex Robinson.