BUDE head coach Sam Parker hailed his side’s ‘much-improved scrum’ after the Seasiders reached the quarter-final of the RFU Men’s Community Cup Counties Two Championship on Saturday following a 20-5 success over old rivals Bideford.

The two sides – separated by less than 30 miles – were both relegated from Counties One Western West last year, but it was the Cornish outfit that built on their victory over the Chiefs earlier in the season in the Harpers Feeds Cup, by running in three tries in front of a huge crowd swelled by the club’s sponsors day.

A delighted Parker, who saw hooker Harvey Cholwill notch a brace after man-of-the-match Ed Hilliam-Cooke’s opener, told the Post: “It was a great day for us. We wanted to put on a show knowing that it would be a bumper crowd, and to get through to the next round in front of such an incredible crowd meant a lot to us.

“We knew that this was going to be a physical battle and we knew where Bideford would look to attack us so we worked really hard in the preceding weeks on those areas and our scrum work paid off with a much-improved performance there.

“On top of that, as usual our line-out was a dominant platform to attack from and we have been working on our defensive line-outs as well as we knew that a solid defence would be the difference in a game that was going to be a scrappy affair.

“Discipline was a key area for us as we only saw one, while Bideford paid the price for a lack of discipline with their yellow cards.”

While Bude had a near full-strength squad, their lack of back-row options meant bustling back Ed Hilliam-Cooke was utilised at No.8 in the absence of Fred Saxton.

Parker continued: “Ed was a well deserved man-of-the-match, even with his yellow card. To switch from wing/centre to No.8 with just a week’s preparation made it a much more impressive achievement.

“Special mention also needs to go to Harvey Cholwill for his exceptional and consistent work around the field, while captain Will Hockridge put in the usual top-flight performance that we have come to enjoy. No other player puts his body on the line and commits like Will.

“In the backs, Brad Thomas controlled things superbly and full-back Will Pharo marshalled the defence brilliantly.”

Bude, who will visit St Mary’s Old Boys in Bristol on May 2, have this weekend off before a do-or-die clash at leaders Camborne Seconds next Saturday.

Parker concluded: “We have this weekend off while the second team are at home in the against a combined Penryn/ Truro second team, before we go down to Camborne.

“We are very much relishing the chance to claim an away win over the league leaders, and we have the talent and belief that we can cause an upset and keep our promotion hopes alive.”