BUDE secured their first win since promotion by edging a seven-goal thriller with bottom side Devonport Services at the Budehaven Sports Centre.

The Seasiders had secured a 2-2 draw at Duchy seven days earlier thanks to late goals from Tom Lush and Matthew Horton, but had to contend with a spate of absentees which meant just 12 players for a crucial clash.

Added to the mix were some incredibly blustery conditions which meant a real test and challenge of both skill and stamina which they passed with flying colours, making it count at every crucial moment.

They started brightly and got ahead after just 15 minutes with a perfect penalty corner routine as Matthew Horton smashed low and hard straight from the top of the D.

Both teams then created half chances as the game opened up and it was the visitors who drew level from a two-on-one counter-attack.

Oscar Kirby, deputising for the absent Andy Davis, saved the initial shot, however the ball rebounded kindly to the free player who slotted into the open goal.

Bude’s response was almost instantaneous as within two minutes they were back in front as Charlie Falla slotted home a nice team move.

Bude then battened down the hatches in trying to defend their slender lead into the upcoming half time break.

But the Plymouth visitors were not done yet and pushed hard for the equaliser, and had it not been for a top corner save by Kirby, they would have gone into the break level.

A well-earned break was gladly taken and much-needed by the hosts, but they came out of the rest period to find themselves under increasing pressure as Devonport picked up where they left off on the foot front.

With pressure mounting and their players pushing high, the visitors scored after just five minutes as a high flick whistled through a crowded D and into the top corner of Kirby’s net.

But again the Seasiders responded as every player from front to back stepped up a gear, led by man-of-the-match striker Saul Barraclough who made everything tick in front of goal as he created chances for himself and his teammates with a stellar performance.

The talented youngster turned provider to restore Bude’s lead as he found Horton who made no mistake for his second.

With the momentum and wind behind them, the hosts took full control of the game as Falla scored his second goal of the game, again from open team play.

This two-goal cushion allowed the Cornishmen some respite and they managed the final quarter of the game very well, although it did become a nervy finish as the visitors scored a penalty corner with just four minutes remaining.

But despite a nailbiting conclusion, Bude just about held on for their first win at the fifth attempt as they moved up to ninth in the 12-team division.

The half-term break sees the club move from league action and switch to the Cornwall Cup first-round draw which pits them away to Duchy Seconds on Saturday.

The Seasiders will look to combine both the first and development teams to give them strength, depth and support the continued growth of the players and the club as a whole.