BUDE picked up a potentially crucial bonus point, but were hammered 58-24 in their crunch clash at Wiveliscombe on Saturday in Counties One Western West.

The Seasiders trailed 24-12 at the break despite skipper Freddie Saxton twice crossing the whitewash and Olly Denford adding a conversion, but the second half went even worse as they conceded a further six tries to make it ten in total.

Saxton dotted down for a third time to secure the club’s first hat-trick of the season, before number eight Ben Hancock got Bude’s all-important bonus point try.

That said, the result saw Wivvy move up to fourth bottom on points difference ahead of Bude having started the day with only Falmouth behind them, although both were pleased to find out that Bideford headed home pointless from their 22-7 loss at St Ives.

Both Wivvy and Bude have a four-point cushion over Bideford, who visit Bude on the final day of the season.

See this week’s Post for Paul Cottle’s report on the Wiveliscombe v Bude fixture.