A MUCH-CHANGED Bude side enjoyed their trip to Falmouth on Saturday as not only did they secure five league points, they also advanced into the second-round of the Cornwall RFU Clubs Cup.

Following regular discussions between the two clubs about which pitch to play on due to the dreadful weather and Storm Ingrid, Bude, who were missing several regulars, travelled looking to secure a seventh league win on the spin against an Eagles side who started the day just a place below them in the table in fourth.

In the event the playing surface at the Recreation Ground held up, just about, and at the final whistle the Seasiders had secured a four-try bonus-point victory, thanks to their fine all round performance and set up a clash with Liskeard-Looe or Newquay Hornets in the next round of the cup.

Falmouth started strongly in the difficult conditions and after barely five minutes they took the lead when full-back Ethan Williams slotted a penalty kick for 3-0.

However, Bude responded with purpose and in the 15th minute they put their noses in front when, following an extended period of pressure in the home side's 22 and a series of pick and goes by their pack, tighthead-prop Anthony Kennett drove over from close range.

Back in the Seasiders' colours after a few weeks on the sidelines with a fractured hand, inside-centre Olly Denford slotted the conversion and visitors led 7-3.

Denford then gave the scoreboard a further nudge with a successful penalty goal before scrum-half Ollie Rowland put clear daylight between the sides just beyond the 30-minute mark. From an attacking line-out, the Seasiders' pack created a maul and when the ball was released, the nimble footed half-back shot around the blindside to touch down for his side's second try of the afternoon, with Denford adding the extras.

At the break Bude led 17-3 and as the play got underway again in the second half, the hosts needed a quick response if they were to stay in touch. With the introduction of fresh legs off their replacements' bench, they looked a far more dangerous outfit, but the visitors stood firm.

Bude again turned on the pressure as the half wore on and following the some fine phased play, the ball was swing wide along the three-quarter line where left-winger Steve Eaton crossed for an excellent try.

Denford was unable to convert from the wide angle, but the hosts were in trouble at 22-3.

A fourth and final try from right-wing Will Pharo, seizing upon a loose ball as the Eagles tried to run the ball out of defence, put the gloss on Bude's excellent performance in trying circumstances, before replacement three-quarter Tom Spiller claimed a consolation score for the home side, converted by Williams to make the final score 27-10.

This Saturday Bude take a break from league action as they entertain Bideford in the third-round of the RFU National Community Cup (2.30pm) having received walkovers in the previous two rounds.

The Colts visit Helston, while both the seconds and ladies have the weekend off.

BUDE: Pharo; Wickett, Tharme, Denford, Eaton; Thomas, Rowland; Firman, Cholwill, Kennett; Hockridge (captain), Robinson; Fry, Maniglia,Wilson. Replacements: Chater, George, Lovejoy, Thompson.

Tries: Kennett, Rowland, Eaton, Pharo; Convs: Denford (2); Pens: Denford.

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