BUDE tuned up for this Saturday's RFU Community Cup quarter-final tie at St Mary's Old Boys in Bristol as they completed this season's league programme with a 50-point demolition of second-bottom St Just at Tregeseal last Saturday.

In doing so they confirmed their third-placed finish in the league table, one point adrift of runners-up Helston.

The Seasiders had made the long trip down west shorn of four key players in tighthead-prop Anthony Kennett, hooker Harvey Cholwill, No.8 Fred Saxton and outside-centre Edy Hilliam-Cooke, but their absence gave an opportunity for Alex Robinson and Josh Rowland to gain valuable game time in the front row, as well as well as Oscar Davey and Olly Mounce.

The visitors quickly got the journey out of their system and with their pack gaining early dominance, it didn't take long before they took the lead when No.8 Joe Wilson crashed over from close-range following a series of attacking rucks. Fly-half Brad Thomas converted and that was closely followed by a second try from scrum-half Olly Mounce who darted over wide out on the left following a driven maul from a cleanly won line-out.

As the game moved into the second quarter, good play from the visitors' three quarters created an opening out wide and left wing Adam Lovejoy dotted down in the corner for his fifth try in senior rugby. Thomas' conversion attempt fell short and wide.

The hosts reduced the arrears by the break to 10 as second row Ethan Milford crossed with Tyler Kearey adding the extras, and it became a three-point game when full-back Leo Guy dotted own early in the second half.

However, the Seasiders responded in the best possible way when fly-half Thomas made a fine individual break and touched down under the uprights to claim his side's fourth try and added the conversion for good measure. With the bonus point now in the bag, No 8 Wilson added a second try to bring his tally for the season to 19, with Thomas again adding the extras from the tee.

Youngsters Hayden Chater, Freddy Allan and Toby Mallard were introduced with half an eye on Saturday’s cup tie, but three further tries arrived via Finley Fry, Ollie Rowland and winger Cobi Yelland to round off a fine afternoon’s work in the far west of the county.

Bude's attention now turns to Saturday’s clash (2.30pm) to face a side who finished as runners-up in Counties Two Gloucestershire.

If they progress, the last four tie is due for May 9, with the final at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday, May 23.

Bude Seconds and Colts both have a game this Saturday, but on Sunday the ladies are away to Bideford in their final game in Women's NC2 South West (West) (2.30pm).

BUDE: Pharo; Yelland, O Rowland, Denford, Lovejoy; Thomas, Mounce; Robinson, J Rowland, Firman; Hockridge (capt), Fry; Davey, Maniglia, Wilson. Replacements: Chater, Allan, Mallard.

Tries: Wilson (2), Mounce, Lovejoy, Fry, O Rowland, Thomas, Yelland; Convs: Thomas (5); Pens: N/A.