Fry and Saxton cross twice as Bude respond in style

BUDE bounced back from the disappointment of their previous week's defeat at the hands of league leaders Helston with an impressive six-try victory over St Just on the Penwith Peninsula last Saturday.

There was one change to the starting XV as prop Charlie Firman was injured which allowed Anthony Kennett to come in for his seasonal debut. The Tharme brothers, Aaron and Ben, were named on the bench.

Any sluggishness from the lengthy coach journey was soon out of the Seasiders' systems and in a bright opening quarter they chalked up two converted tries to take a well-deserved early lead. On 13 minutes, after a superbly judged 50/22 kick ahead from the increasingly influential outside-centre Ollie Rowland found touch deep in the Tigers' 22, a clean catch by skipper Finley Fry set up a powerful drive for hooker Harvey Cholwill to dot down 15 metres in from the touchline. Inside-centre Olly Denford bisected the uprights for the first of six times.

Then, four minutes later, Fry crossed for Bude's second try after No.8 Joe Wilson had done the damage with a pick up and surge from the base of an attacking scrum in midfield. Again Denford's conversion attempt proved successful and in the 24th minute second row Fred Saxton was unstoppable from close-range to finish an excellent passage of play.

The home side then had a sustained period of pressure and did get over the try line on one occasion, but the ball was held up as Bude went into half-time 21-0 ahead.

Five minutes into the second period second row Will Hockridge claimed the Seasiders' bonus-point score after scrum-half Olly Mounce had engineered a strong counter ruck in the home 22. Denford stretched the lead to 28-0.

The hosts then redoubled their attacking efforts and shortly before the hour mark they were rewarded with a well-fashioned try in the corner from blindside-flankerDavid Beardon that went unconverted.

However, Bude were quickly back on the attack and following an excellent half break by replacement flanker Lewis Jones, Saxton was on hand to take the scoring pass and charge to the line. Denford ensured Bude were all but out of sight at 35-5 up.

Despite the scoreline, the Tigers were still battling and rewarded with a penalty try on 72 minutes after Mounce was penalised for an illegal tackle on the line.

However, the Seasiders had the last word when Fry galloped over for his side's sixth and final try after Wilson had made the initial break from a scrum in midfield, leaving Denford with the simplest of kicks.

This Saturday, Bude entertain Liskeard-Looe at Bencoolen Meadow (3pm) while the seconds are again on the road also in league action, with Lankelly-Fowey their hosts in Counties Three Cornwall.

Meanwhile, the Colts visit Redruth in the Cornwall Colts League and Bude Ladies are at home to Devonport Services Ladies in NC2 South West (West) on Sunday (2.30pm).

BUDE: Toby Mallard; Jack Cooper, Ollie Rowland, Olly Denford, Adam Lovejoy; Brad Thomas, Olly Mounce; Anthony Kennett, Harvey Cholwill, Alex Robinson; Will Hockridge, Fred Saxton; Finley Fry (capt), Matt Maniglia, Joe Wilson. Replacements: Aaron Tharme, Josh Rowland, Ben Tharme, Lewis Jones.

Tries: Cholwill, Fry (2), Saxton (2), Hockridge; Convs: Denford (6); Pens: N/A.

Seasiders’ player-of-the-match: Finley Fry.