BUDE head coach Sam Parker admits his side are ‘looking forward to a good, physical battle’ when they welcome old rivals Bideford in round three of the RFU Men’s Community Cup Counties Two Championship on Saturday (2.30pm).

While the competition has plenty of detractors due to the number of clubs conceding games, for the Seasiders it allows them to continue their excellent momentum which has seen them win seven matches on the spin to cement third in Counties Two Cornwall.

Bideford make the short trip down in fine fettle themselves – currently third and well-placed to target promotion back to Counties One Western West, a division both sides were in last time out.

The two sides have plenty of connections – due to the farming community – and this season have already faced off once in the first leg of the inaugural Harpers Feeds Cup, the idea being to celebrate community rugby in North Devon and North Cornwall.

Bude won that one 17-10, but Bideford will head down the A39 also in third in Counties Two Devon, just six points behind leaders Devonport Services albeit having played a game more.

So far in this year’s competition, Bude have been handed home walkovers by Honiton and Dorchester, while Bideford saw off Helston 27-10 after Exeter Saracens conceded to the Chiefs in round-one.

Looking ahead to the game, Parker said: “We are looking forward to a good physical battle, the conditions will dictate the game but we are confident that we are prepared and have the necessary systems and processes in place to handle whatever is thrown at us.

“We are improving and learning every week and this shows in our success rate, we are also starting to bring the next batch of colts through which is fantastic for the club.”

With Camborne Seconds and Helston setting an unrelenting pace in the league, Bude can ill-afford many mistakes.

However, last Saturday’s 27-10 victory at fourth-placed Falmouth kept their momentum going.

Next weekend they face a rearranged clash at Perranporth who’ve lost just three times in 11 outings, but if they are to stay in the title race, but considering the circumstances last Saturday, Parker was delighted to secure five points.

He continued: “Down at Falmouth we had a number of regular first team players out though injury and prior engagements, but had the depth to choose from with a number of second team players stepping up to fill the gaps. Two notable additions were Steve Eaton and Adam Lovejoy. Steve slotted onto the left wing seamlessly and Adam Lovejoy joined us at half-time and put in an outstanding performance.

“We were also joined by second team captain Martin George and Danny Thompson, and although sadly due to the nature of the game neither got onto the field, the club spirit was there and huge respect goes out to both players.”