BUDE Women smashed their way to third place at the Topsham Tens near?Exeter on Sunday, October 1, demonstrating the continued growth and development of the club’s newest squad.

Twelve players travelled down to face off against more experienced teams with the spirit that has become representative of this young side.

Bude took the first match with ease, 35-5, with the majority of points coming from the fleet footwork of Frankie Perry. After running two tries in from her own 22 around the wing, Perry scored her third with a scintillating step to beat three more defenders and touch down under the posts. Stacey Hillier also used the undefended flank to score with a burst of speed at the end of the second-half that the opposition couldn’t handle.

Facing the home side in the second pool match, and walking straight back onto the pitch after their first victory, Bude found it difficult to keep up the pace and conceded tries before clawing their way back into the game.

Topsham had the added benefit of the additional player, albeit unintentionally, with the referee accidentally blocking Bude’s defending player leading to Topsham’s first try.

Interventions from Rachel Shackleton in securing ball at the ruck and scrum-half Lisa Honey in directing the game won Bude ground and possession, but they could not release their speedy full-back more than once, as Topsham won 25-5.

Having qualified for the semi-final of the man Cup, Bude were drawn against Exeter University.

Bude kept their heads in the game throughout, conceding on the outside were the fitness of the younger opposition told, but Perry showed that Bude had some speedy legs too and the game was anyone’s at half-time.

With determination, the women displayed some fantastic set pieces from the forward pack, and using their strength advantage moved up the pitch, but the pressure took too long to build and the clock running down was in favour of Exeter.

In the last play of the game in a show of sheer determination a strong Bude scrum on their own five-metre line won a clean ball to give fly-half Bonnie Hillier a run, through two Exeter defenders and around their full-back all the way to score a final try, which was fitting of their performance. Exeter advanced with a 26-15 victory.

Bude’s next match is at home to Bideford on Sunday, October 22.

If you are interested in joining this exciting sport, contact the team via Facebook at ‘Bude Women’s Rugby’.