Rugby

TRIBUTE WESTERN COUNTIES WEST LEAGUE:

Bude 10, Ivybridge 6

It is often said in sporting circles that winning and losing is habit forming and that was certainly the case at Bencoolen Meadow last Saturday.

In dreadful conditions of steady rain which turned the overnight frosted ground into a quagmire, Bude, flushed with the confidence of two successive league wins under their belts, had the nerve to close out a tense nail biter of the game against Ivybridge, whose season appears to be going from bad to worse, after a promising start and now without a win of any kind since the end of October.

The game was anything but the high tempo points bonanza of seven days previous against Exeter Saracens, with much of the match involving a slog in the mud between the two sets of forwards, but it was certainly gripping fayre for the hardy supporters of both sides and for the Seasiders another valuable four points, as they continue their steady rise up the league table.

For the visitors, at least they had the consolation of a losing bonus point, but it was scant consolation for their endeavours and they could so easily have claimed the lion's share of the spoils, with a touch more composure on the ball and if Bude's defence hadn't been so rock solid.

With five of the seven games in the league falling foul of the freezing conditions and only Truro's match with Okehampton also taking place, it needed an early morning pitch inspection to declare Bude's riverside ground playable and thankfully for the home side they got off to a flying start to claim early points before the rain and mud brought proceedings to a virtual standstill in the second half.

From the first whistle Bude went on the attack and were quickly camped in the visitors' 22. However, two knock-ons in virtual succession didn't bode well for the hosts, but from a five-metre scrum on four minutes, flanker James Comber crashed over on the blindside, following a powerful shove by the Bude eight. From wide out on the left and with the pitch already cutting up, the conversion attempt by left wing Dan Pearce fell short and wide.

Ivybridge responded well and a 13th minute penalty by outside centre Adam Bradley brought his side back within two points, after the home side were caught offside in midfield. The game continued to ebb and flow and on 21 minutes Bude went further ahead, when No.8 Warren Rumble's deft pick up from an attacking scrum 15 metres out put his scrum half Steve Yates into space and he shot over for a well worked try. This time, Pearce's conversion attempt slid across the face of the uprights, but with the same result.

At 10-3 up, the Seasiders were good value for their lead, but in the 26th minute, it needed an excellent acrobatic interception by Pearce, coming across to cover from his far wing, to save an almost certain try by the visitors, as they attacked strongly up the left flank. Ivybridge had a further chance on 32 minutes to reduce the deficit as Bude coughed up another penalty, but Bradley missed a relatively easy kick from in front of the posts; for the home side, it was a lucky let-off.

With the break fast approaching, fly half Andy Yates made a superb 30 metre break, but his support was slow in arriving and the scoring chance was gone, as the visitors' line held. Outside centre Dan Buckland was also proving a handful in attack, but there were no further scores from either side in the first period and at the interval Bude held a deserved, if not particularly comfortable 10-3 lead.

Following the turn around and now playing towards the Clubhouse end, the Seasiders continued to attack, but they couldn't breach the Ivybridge defence, which had certainly sharpened up following some stern words from their coaches at the break. Indeed, following a sustained period of pressure, it was the visitors who claimed the first points of the second half on 51 minutes, as Bradley slotted his second successful kick, after a home forward was penalised for not rolling away in from the tackle.

As the clock ticked on, the visitors had more and more of both the ball and territorial advantage, as the hosts' defence worked overtime to keep them at bay. Only four points now separated the sides and with time nearly up, Ivybridge made one last monumental effort to cross the hosts' line. They scrummed, they mauled, they picked and they drove, but still Bude's line held firm, with a massive effort from their pack in particular. Finally, the turn-over was forced, the ball was cleared to touch, the referee's whistle blew for full time and the points were in the bag.

This Saturday, as the Duchy's representative in the National Intermediate Cup competition, Bude are due to travel to the South Hams to take on Kingsbridge, before facing them once more seven days later when league points will be at stake and still vital for both sides.

However, at the time of this report being filed, due to an impending fixture pile up resulting from postponed games caused by the recent freeze, there is a possibility of the game being played as a double header on Saturday 18th February, with Bude's Tribute Cornwall Cup Semi-final home clash with St Austell being brought forward to this coming Saturday. It promises to be a busy week for the club's backroom team.

Scores: Bude: James Comber, Steve Yates (Tries). Ivybridge: Adam Bradley (2 Penalty goals).

Bude: Olly Denford, Duncan Tout, Dan Buckland, Paul Williams, Dan Pearce, Andy Yates, Steve Yates, Matt Williams (Capt.), Jason Bolt, Chris Allin, Mark Parsons, Will Kingdon, Freddie Saxton, James Comber, Warren Rumble. Replacements: Adam Williams, Richie Herzog, Kyle Speare.

Referee: Mr Andy Bickle (Launceston – Devon RRS).

Mini Rugby

BUDE TOURNAMENT:

Bude played host to both Truro and Lankelly Fowey in a three-way tournament for sides aged from under seven to under 12. The teams usually meet only at Cornish Rugby Festivals so it was a special occasion.

More than 200 players – boys and girls – were involved in a great show of mini rugby. Bude's resources were stretched to the limit, but coaches and team managers from all three clubs worked extremely hard and, together with parents and supporters made it a very successful day.

DOUBLE TRIUMPH FOR U7s

The Bude team were professional and energetic from the outset and although the other teams provided some strong rugby they were out played by Dave Bolt's under 7's. Bude provided excellent examples of team work; their passing was neat and their tagging was thorough.

Bude 5 Truro 3

In the first match Bude played Truro with Hayden Charter as their captain, and he led the team to a 5-3 victory. Within minutes of the first whistle Ben Bolt had secured Bude's first try, this was followed by further tries by Finlay Cackett, Sonny Boyd and two for the ever speedy William Collings.

Bude 6 Lankelly Fowey 5

Lankelly Fowley were short but the Bude team happily lent players. This time the team was captained by Archie Courtenay Perrott who secured a 6-5 win. Again Bude's try scoring was started by Ben Bolt, followed by Archie Courtenay Perrott, Sonny Boyd, Hayden Charter and a double for the light footed Finlay Cackett.

Just to show good sportsmanship the Bude team also provided all of the tries for the other team, this included a hat-trick for Alex Norlund, a double for Hayden Charter and another try for William Collings.

Everyone in the Bude squad played. The full team included Ben Bolt, Sonny Boyd, Finlay Cackett, Hayden Charter, William Collings, Archie Courtnay-Perrott, Tim Denford, William Moyle, Alex Norlund, and Ethan Roff-Conway

Under 9s and Under 10s

Both age groups were scheduled to play their matches on the same pitch so there was plenty of rest time between matches.

Watched and cheered on by probably the biggest spectator crowd of all the age groups, credit must go to all players – from all three teams – who made the matches so good to watch.

The Truro, Lankelly game was won by Truro, but by that time all the players were cold and tired and as soon as Truro had established a good lead, the game was effectively over.

Results: Bude 3, Truro 4; Bude 2, Lnakelly 2.

Under 11s

Lankelly were unable to field a side for this fixture, so it was Bude versus Truro in a full match.

Although evenly matched in individual skills, superior rucking made Truro convincing winners by a large margin, 63-0.

Under 12s

This, the most senior of the minis sides, play the nearest to the 15 a side game.

In the first match Bude faced Lankelly, a side they had not played before. Several players were tried in new positions but Alfie Petch, usually a forward, soon showed why by barging through for a try in his first match at centre. Zerran Hammond, also usually a forward, but now revelling in playing in the backs, followed suit after a long curving run that outpaced the defence.

Bude looked to have the match sewn up by half-time, but several forced changes altered the complexion of the game and Lankelly found a new confidence. Some determined and elusive running gained them huge amounts of ground, and they converted their territorial advantage to tries, running out winners by 22 points to 19

Bude returned to the pitch five minutes later to face a Truro side with a big reputation.

True to form, Truro attacked, and kept on battering away at Bude's defence until scores happened. Bude seemed unable to counter Truro's tactics, but never let their heads go down, and tackled bravely.

Truro's recycling of the ball was excellent. They made the ball available after the tackle, and had the backs to take advantage of that.

Bude's spirit was still there, and showed when late in the second half they regained possession after a kick off, then recycled and kept on going until they themselves scored. Truro were worthy victors.

Lankelly had watched the Bude, Truro match and knew that they had to retain possession to get any chance of a win.

However they were cold, and Truro had their tails up, and several spare players to substitute for tired legs.

This was a hard fought battle against near neighbours, played out 70 miles from home.

The result was inevitable and the bigger club won, but this was an advert for the game of rugby.

The club already have nine touring clubs arriving at the end of the season, from the beginning of April to early May.

For more details on mini rugby visit www.cornwall-rfu.org.uk/mini-junior-rugby