BUDE posted 31 unanswered points to emerge comfortable victors over Launceston Castles in the North Cornwall derby at Polson last Saturday.

Launceston were determined put on a show in front of a bumper crowd and within 13 minutes were ahead via Tom Stevens’ try.

With the Seasiders under the cosh defensively, things took a turn for the worse on 17 minutes when their skipper, second row Will Hockridge, was perhaps a little harshly shown a yellow card for a high tackle. Then, on 24 minutes, a run from deep by inside-centre Cody Smith saw him slice through the Bude defence and dot down under the posts for a fine individual try. Dan Pearce again added the extras and Bude were in a spot of bother.

Now back up to the full complement, the visitors began to make inroads into Launceston's territory. After Fred Saxton put a foot in touch before scoring, they were not to be denied much longer as a brace of tries from Hockridge just before and just after the half-hour mark made up for his earlier spell in the bin. Fly-half Brad Thomas converted the first score and the Seasiders were back within two points.

With the half-time break fast approaching, the Castles responded in the best possible way as Smith finished off a fine move to the delight of the stands. Pearce was again accurate with the boot and at the turn around Launceston deservedly led 21-12.

Following the resumption in play, with the visitors breaking from deep, a delightful miss-pass from inside-centre Olly Denford created just enough space for Adam Lovejoy. Thomas' conversion attempt fell short (21-17).

A fine 50-metre break on 44 minutes by Cobi Yelland, along the opposite touchline was halted deep in the hosts' 22, but a little over 10 minutes later Saxton was the beneficiary of some excellent handling and support play from his team mates. Denford’s kick was good.

As the game moved into the final quarter and the Seasiders began to exert their dominance, a well-rehearsed penalty move saw the ball kicked to touch. From the resulting line-out hooker Harvey Cholwill forced his way over in the corner. The conversion attempt defeated Denford, but on 69 minutes he made amends after the ever-impressive Ollie Rowland dotted down.

With Bude now comfortably in front, a seventh and final try by flanker Matt Maniglia, converted by Denford, added the gloss to a superb second half team performance.

This Saturday Bude entertain Newquay Hornets in their final home game of the league season as they look to cement third (3pm), while Launceston go to Wadebridge Seconds.

LAUNCESTON CASTLES: Jasper; Reddan, Taylor, Co Smith, Fry; Pearce, Tomkies; Stevens, Howe, Burden (capt); Crabb, Greene; Westlake, Dennis, Stiles. Replacements: Johns, Basford, Zambuni, Knight.

Tries: Co Smith (2), Stevens; Convs: Pearce (3); Pens: N/A.

BUDE: Pharo; Yelland, Hilliam-Cooke, Denford, Lovejoy; Thomas, O Rowland; Firman, Cholwill, Kennett, Hockridge (capt), Robinson; Fry, Maniglia, Saxton. Replacements: Chater, Mounce, J Rowland, Watton.

Tries: Hockridge (2), Lovejoy, Saxton, Cholwill, O Rowland, Maniglia; Convs: Denford (3), Thomas; Pens: N/A.

Seasiders’ man-of-the-match: Olly Denford.