BUDE skipper Warren Rumble hailed his side’s superb performance as the Seasiders routed previous leaders Lanhydrock by nine wickets at Crooklets on Saturday.

The Bodmin-based visitors chose to bat despite poor weather in the build-up, and opening bowlers Matthew Mansbridge and Brett Hunter reduced Jamie Eldridge’s side to 59-5 in the 17th over.

Prolific Pakistani opener Amir Khan was trapped lbw by Mansbridge for just four before Hunter (4-33 off 9) bowled Luke Buckland (15) and Christian James (3) with pearlers that clipped the off stump.

Hunter got a third when Michael Horne skied a catch to Richard Dymond in the gully, and when Ben Attfield skewed a drive to the same fielder in Mansbridge’s (2-29) final over, half the side were out.

Twins Jamie and Josh Taylor added 18 before Jamie (23) edged Andrew De Rosa to Mansbridge at slip, before Eldridge joined Taylor for a patient stand of 32 as change bowlers Mark Whitefield (0-22 off 9) and Leo McDonnell proved tough to score off.

Taylor’s (17) patience eventually ran out when he picked out Derek Piper at long-off off McDonnell, as did Eldridge (20) when he skied the returning Hunter to David Sillifant running around from point.

Jacob Eldridge struggled to get the ball away and ended seven not out from 37 balls, with the final wicket falling to McDonnell (2-14 off 7) when Jack Trethewey offered Sillifant a catch at cover.

Such was the difficulty Lanhydrock had to score, just 15 came off the final five overs as they closed on 147-9.

Despite a few scares against the pacey Ben Attfield and Jacob Eldridge, Bude openers Wayne Adams and Richard Dymond managed to get through unscathed.

They added 36 in 10 overs before the final ball off the 11th bowled by Aussie leg-spinner Rowan Evans, saw Dymond (10) pick out Jacob Eldridge at square-leg off a half-tracker.

But from there Bude cantered to victory.

While Adams was solid for his 55 not out from 74 deliveries, he was joined by his captain who scored freely from the off as Lanhydrock persisted with their attacking fields, knowing that wickets were the only chance they had of victory.

Despite being dropped three times, all of varying difficulty, Rumble plundered 11 fours and two sixes to end 74 not out off 71 balls as they secured victory after just 29.2 overs.

A delighted Rumble told the Post: “At the start of the day I was expecting a really tight game, but it wasn’t the case.

“I was a bit mystified by their decision to bat first when it was clearly damp, but we bowled and fielded brilliantly.

“Pew (Matt Mansbridge) getting Amir out for just four was obviously key as he’s been scoring a bucketload load of runs, and Brett continued on his merry way with three.

“Pew then also got rid of Ben Attfield in his last over which is always a big wicket, and we then never really let them get back into it.

“The plan then was to bring on the slower bowlers, spread the field and make it hard to score, and thankfully that’s what happened.”

Bude’s early-order batting has slipped up twice already on home turf this season against Wadebridge Seconds and their Callington counterparts, but there was no such trouble this time.

Rumble continued: “We were obviously pretty confident at tea, but we know their bowling is usually strong.

“Thankfully for us they didn’t quite hit their stride apart from a few plays and misses early on, and when you’re defending a low score you need early wickets to have any chance.

“That allowed me to come in in a better position alongside Wayne who batted really well, and we were able to get the job done.”

Rumble was also delighted with the Seasiders’ fielding, which hasn’t always been the best so far this term.

He added: “Lanhydrock are probably going to be in and around us in the league, so to make up 16 points on them was great.

“But the thing what pleased me the most was our superb fielding performance from everybody and we were on it right throughout the 45 overs, which makes a massive difference.”

Just 21 points separate leaders St Blazey and Wadebridge in seventh, with fourth-placed Bude 12 off top spot before Saturday’s visit of Werrington Seconds (1pm).

Rumble concluded: “It should be another exciting game, especially as we know each other so well.

“We’ll go into it full of confidence after Saturday, and with 12 people available, there’s a good feeling amongst the troops. “