Seasiders defeated in national cup clash against Bideford

BUDE and Bideford locked horns at King George V Field in Torridgeside for the second leg of the inaugural Torridge v Tamar Harpers Feeds Cup on Saturday, August 15.

Both sides were missing a host of first choice players coming into the game which gave a chance for the replacements to show their paces.

The Seasiders held a narrow 17-10 lead from the first leg last September, so it was crucial for the home side that they scored first or at least didn't let the visitors get too far ahead if they were to stand a chance of claiming the spoils at the final whistle.

On a beautifully warm afternoon, with a fresh breeze favouring Biddy in the opening half, there was little to separate the sides in the early exchanges as both teams tested their opponents defensive line-ups.

On 23 minutes, the hosts took the lead with a converted try which levelled the aggregate scores, courtesy of a well worked three quarter move off the back of an attacking set scrum in midfield.

Picking up from the base, scrum half Joe Faulkner fed his back line and with the visitors caught a little narrow in defence, right wing Matt Lewis beat his opposite number on the outside and rounded to simplify the conversion attempt for fly half Fred Palmer, which he duly slotted.

However, within three minutes, Bude were back level in the match and ahead 24-17 on aggregate when from an attacking ruck, loosehead prop Alex Robinson picked up and made good ground before slipping the ball to inside centre Joe Wilson who crashed over from close range.

Playing in the unaccustomed position of fly half in the absence of his regular half back partner Brad Thomas, Ollie Rowland coolly added the extras and that was how the scoreline stood at the break.

At the start of the second-half, the Seasiders looked to pick up the pace with some powerful forward drives from second row Will Hockridge, in his first game since standing down as club captain, and No 8 Fred Saxton. But again, it was the home side who broke the deadlock with the first score of the half.

On 45 minutes, with Bideford's back division looking dangerous, a half break created a moment's hesitation in Bude's defensive line and in a flash the ball was chipped through and Lewis was quickest to react and dotted down the ball wide out on the right for his side's second try. Palmer was unable to nail the conversion attempt, but Bude's aggregate lead was now down to two points.

With the warmth of the afternoon sun and the firm ground conditions taking their toll, both sides freshened up their line-ups, including first starts at senior level for Bude's former Colts, Jaylen Hopgood, Harrison Stacey, Stanley Waters and Jack Cooper, but it was soon evident that it was the home side who had the stronger bench.

As the game moved into the closing stages with Bude still holding a slender two point lead, the home side were finishing the stronger and in the 74th minute they got the decisive score with their third try of the afternoon.

Replacement three quarter Charie Ackland touched down a well worked move wide out on the right. The try went unconverted, but it was enough to earn Biddy victory in the match and first dibs on the Harpers Feeds Cup.

Scorers: Bideford: Matt Lewis (two Tries), Charlie Ackland (try), Fred Palmer (conversion). Bude: Joe Wilson (try), Ollie Rowland (conversion).

Bude: Toby Mallard, Cobi Yelland, Josh Rowland, Joe Wilson, Adam Lovejoy, Ollie Rowland, Olly Mounce, Alex Robinson, Harvey Cholwill, Charlie Firman, Will Hockridge, Nick Waterson, Finley Fry (captain), Matt Maniglia, Fred Saxton. Replacements: Aaron Tharme, Lewis Jones, Jaylen Hopgood, Oliver Gelpey Ridley, Tom Ware, Stanley Waters, Jack Cooper.

Referee: Mr Steve Bubyer (Devon Rugby Referees Society).