Saturday, February 24

GoCrea8 Hockey League

Southern Two

Isca C 2

TWO first-half goals ensured that Bude face a nervous end to the season after falling to a 2-0 defeat to fourth-placed Isca C at Exeter University.

The North Cornwall side started well as they were given plenty of time on the ball in the middle of the park to control the possession, tempo and momentum but were unable to craft any clearcut chances on goal.

Isca never batted an eyelid as their vastly experienced side of veteran England internationals had seen it all before; they soaked up the pressure with consummate ease and made Bude pay as with their first attack of the game saw them take the lead.

A swift one-two between the Isca forwards allowed them to get behind the Bude defence and after initial wild baseball style swing, the striker scuffed the ball on his next attempt which was enough to see the ball dribble agonisingly in off the post.

They were soon 2-0 up as another counter attack was well taken by the Isca forward.

Bude tried to push on and returned to controlling the game in most areas apart from the crucial part of the final third.

The visitors came out from the second-half and asserted themselves in the same way but got the same results; after a small period of frustration they picked the game back up and finished strongly but were unable to break down the wily old Isca defence who were in no mood to give up their lead as they cantered to victory.

The result leaves Bude fifth in the 12-team division with three games left to play which in most other leagues would be comfortable, however with at least four teams getting relegated this puts Bude just two points above the drop zone. Destiny is firmly in their own hands as they feature in a nailbiting finish to the season knowing that six points would guarantee their survival although if other results go their way, even less could be enough.

The first of the three is on Saturday when they welcome second-placed PGSOB (Plympton Grammar School Old Boys) A to Budehaven Sports Centre (1pm).

West Club Women’s Hockey League

South Division

Plymouth Marjon 2 3

Bude 0

BUDE’S women were also in action at Plymouth Marjon C and fell to a 3-0 defeat in the South Division of the West Club Women’s Hockey League.

That result, coupled with second from bottom Okehampton’s 1-0 win over Caradon means that the North Cornwall side are just one point above their Devon rivals with four games to play in the battle to avoid the drop.

They meet in a crunch clash at the Budehaven Sports Centre on Saturday (2.30pm) in a game which will go along way to determining each club’s fate come the end of the season.