BUDE head coach Sam Parker feels ‘there is plenty of talent coming through’ as the Seasiders rounded off their season with a 28-14 defeat to Helston in the Cornwall Clubs Cup final at Launceston on Sunday.

The North Cornwall side made the short trip to Polson Bridge having not played for three weeks since their Counties Two RFU Community Cup quarter-final defeat to St Mary’s Old Boys in Bristol, and paid for a slow start as the home side ran in three converted tries inside the first 25 minutes to establish a lead which they never relinquished.

Bude gradually got into gear and started to make some headway, but too often, found themselves on the wrong end of the referee’s decision, a theme which would run throughout the course of the afternoon.

After half-time, Bude got one back 10 minutes in as lock Freddie Saxton barged over just to the side of the posts. Fly-half Brad Thomas added the extras.

However, any hopes of a comeback were dashed just before the hour as inspirational skipper Will Hockridge was sent-off for a punch. Moments later they were within a converted try as Helston tried to clear their lines, but saw a kick charged down by winger Adam Lovejoy. He hacked the ball over the line and dotted it down. With Thomas off with a nasty looking leg injury, inside-centre Olly Denford did the honours for 21-14.

Bude huffed and puffed to force extra-time, but sadly conceded a fourth try with four minutes remaining via a hotly-disputed penalty try which also saw flanker Oscar Davey yellow-carded.

Parker said: “After three weeks without a game we were rusty and took some time to settle, but once we settled we put in a respectable performance.

“We picked up several injuries during the game and had to rejig, giving us a very different looking team, but the changes did not affect the performance or tempo of the attack.

“Whilst certain events made our job all the more difficult, there are some things you can control and unfortunately that was our undoing.”

Bude finished third in Counties Two Cornwall following relegation last year, but have had to put together a much-changed side.

Parked concluded: “The players have been outstanding and with the number of players that have run out for the first team, it shows what depth we have which is really promising for the future.

“Will has been an excellent captain. He puts his body and heart on the line each and every game and leads with courage and authority.

“Also, the Colts that have stepped up this year and acquitted themselves excellently and put in some outstanding performances. The experienced senior players also showed their strength and did what they do.

“I want to thank all the players, all of the members that have worked behind the scenes to put on some amazing home games and make the club the success it is, as well as the travelling support that has been with us all year.”

BUDE: Toby Mallard; Adam Lovejoy, Will Pharo, Olly Denford, Cobi Yelland; Brad Thomas, Ollie Rowland; Anthony Kennett, Josh Rowland, Charlie Firman; Will Hockridge, Freddie Saxton; Finley Fry, Oscar Davey, Joe Wilson. Replacements: Martin George, Hayden Chater, Alex Robinson, Olly Mounce, Edy Hilliam-Cooke.

Tries: Saxton, Lovejoy; Cons: Thomas, Denford; Pens: N/A.