BUDE will play in the third-tier again next summer having survived by the skin of their teeth following a 10-run defeat to St Blazey who won the title as a result.

The Seasiders headed into the day 13 points ahead of second bottom St Minver and level on points with Werrington Seconds.

But with rain all around the county, which included Werrington being rained off at their Wadebridge counterparts - meaning six points apiece, the weather at Crooklets although showery, was never bad enough to cancel.

Play eventually got underway at 3.30pm with Bude skipper Warren Rumble choosing to field in a game reduced to 30 overs.

Remarkably, the only other game to start was at St Minver as they welcomed title-chasing Luckett, meaning every point could be crucial.

Although the conditions were difficult, Bude started off poorly and never recovered in the field as openers Matt Bennetts and Rory Dixon raced to 50-0 in just four overs.

A heavy shower took the players off for an early tea at 87-0 after 12 which meant the game was reduced further to 26 overs.

David Sillifant was introduced with nine overs to go and struck in his first over as Bennetts (61) skied a catch to extra cover where the returning James Turner took an excellent catch (107-1).

New man Ben Griffiths survived a vociferous lbw appeal off Matt Williams before he went in the next over to Sillifant (2-30 off 5).

However, South African Ruhann Brenner joined Dixon (70no) and he made an unbeaten 35 from just 20 balls as they eventually finished on 198-2, in the process ensuring Bude mustered just one bowling point.

Needing nearly eight an over from the outset, Turner (16) was promoted to open and struck two sixes in the first over before holing out off the third.

Wayne Adams made eight before being run-out and when Matt Whitefield fell in the same fashion, Bude were staring down the barrel (56-3).

With St Minver beating Luckett, every 40 runs meant an extra batting point and even if they lost, knew they had to bat time as well as try and win.

Thankfully for the hosts, Rumble found form when he needed it the most, playing a superb knock of 86 from just 70 balls with six sixes.

Bude were always behind the rate, but with St Minver finishing before, they were able to keep track of what was going on.

St Minver beat Luckett and picked up 18 points in the process – but with Bude having a superior head-to-head record against the villagers having won down there and seen the home clash rained off – it meant 160 would be enough for five points and safety.

They got there comfortably thanks to Rumble’s heroics and some late order hitting from Matthew Mansbridge (18 off 8) and Matt Williams (18 off 12), and although they ended up 10 short, the job was done.