Saturday, September 21

Tribute Cornwall and Devon League

Lanner 26

Bude 19

BUDE fell to their first defeat of the season on Saturday as Lanner came from behind to win 26-19 at Mount Ambrose Cricket Club.

The visitors had convincingly beaten Veor and Exeter Athletic on their home patch, but conceded two tries in the final 15 minutes to ensure they made the long trip back to North Cornwall with just a bonus point for finishing within seven points, for their efforts.

Three key players were missing for Bude as lock Joel Troke and Ed Hilliam-Cooke were working while Charlie Watton was injured, which meant first appearances in the squad of the season for flanker Freddie Saxton and centres Andy Yates and Ryan Butler. All three men were thrust straight into the starting 15.

One positive was that Joe Wilson, who had scored an opening day hat-trick against Veor, was available and slotted into his unfamiliar role at hooker in place of Matt Williams who went to the bench with Jason Bolt moving across to loosehead-prop, while winger Gareth Mitchell was on the bench following a long-term ankle injury.

Both sides have big, imposing packs who like to keep the ball in tight and make it difficult. But it was Bude who bossed the opening exchanges and took an early lead as Wilson peeled off the back of a driving maul from ten metres out to crash over. Skipper Olly Denford slotted the extras.

Bude suffered a massive blow 15 minutes into the game as player/coach Angus Hodges was sent to hospital with concussion.

After turning the ball over close to their line, Denford’s attempted box kick ended up going backwards and over their try line. As Hodges slid back to make sure he got to the ball first to avoid the try, which he did, a Lanner player’s knee accidentally smashed into his cheekbone, meaning Hodges was sent to Treliske Hospital in Truro for an assessment.

Thankfully for him, there appears to be no serious damage although he is likely to be absent for the next couple of weeks.

Without their talismanic leader, meant Lanner could get on top. But despite being camped in the Bude 22 for long spells, they could only muster one try before the break, following a series of pick and gos.

However, they soon went in front after the restart but Bude continued to fight back and levelled it up shortly before the hour, as a tap and go saw Wilson prove too powerful for the home defence.

Denford once again added the extras to make it 14-14.

In a game where the backs barely saw the ball, Bude went 19-14 up with a try almost identical to their first as replacement Matt Williams dotted down following a driving maul.

The hosts needed to respond and did straight from kick-off before securing the win with a late try.

Hodges, who was given the all-clear to return to Bude that evening, said: “It was pretty disappointing really, especially as the result didn’t go our way.

“We lacked a lot of energy and almost made it like one of our away games from a couple of seasons ago where we really struggled. I thought we were past that but it was a bit of a wake up call that we’re not invincible and that we have to throw everything into it. Our foot was off the pedal for most of the 80 minutes which played into their hands and made it too easy for them.

“It was one of those very forward-orientated games. Neither side’s backs got a look in and it was one big arm wrestle, which we unfortunately lost.”

Hodges is likely to be watching from the sidelines on Saturday when Liskeard-Looe are the visitors to Bencoolen Meadow and he’s expecting a tough encounter.

He said: “They managed to do alright against Truro on Saturday who have been looking good. If that’s anything to go by, it’ll be a very tough game.

“Last year they were very good at upsetting our structure, so it’ll be a really good test for us.

“But I’d like to think that with us being at home, and after what happened on Saturday, we can right the wrongs from Saturday and get another win.

“Everyone apart from myself should be available, so we’re looking forward to being back on fighting terms like the last couple of games.”

Bude —

Denford (captain), R Hodges, Butler, A Yates, Horwell, S Yates, Mounce; Bolt, Wilson, Allin, A Hodges, Kingdon, Saxton, F Fry, Statton.

Replacements: Keat, Williams, Mitchell.

Tries: Wilson 2, Williams.

Convs: Denford 2.

Pens: N/A.

Bude’s man-of-the-match: Joe Wilson.