BUDE RFC head coach Sam Parker knows the Seasiders need to brush up on their scrums and attack formations as they target a rousing second half to the season in Counties Two Cornwall.

The Bencoolen Meadow-based outfit have largely done well since relegation, winning seven of their ten league outings to sit fourth in the table.

But with just one promotion spot available and Camborne Seconds currently running away with the league, it looks as if they will have to focus on launching an assault next term.

However, Parker, who is due to take his side to strugglers Wadebridge Camels Seconds tomorrow afternoon (2.30pm) – weather permitting – feels they are heading in the right direction.

He said: “We have had a good start to the season, but we need to build on that. We are growing as a team and starting to gel into the team that we want to be. Considering at the same time last year we had only won three times, the turnaround is fantastic.

“We would prefer to be higher in the table but we are currently fourth with a game in-hand on Falmouth, but Helston, who are three of us, have two games in-hand. We are generally happy but we want to finish top, so we need to put everything into the second half of the season to close the gap on Camborne.”

However, the head coach knows they need to get their scrum right.

He said: “We have depth in availability with new and old players proving their worth and filling in for injuries, but our biggest weakness this season has been our scrum and we are working on improving that.

“We have props that are unable to play every week due to life commitments which can cause a few issues with consistency, and we have young props that are available every week but lack experience.

“We are working on finding the right balance and positions for each player. Another big issue is not having two true second rows. We have a flanker and prop valiantly filling these shirts at the moment, so it will be trial and error for now.

“The other area we need to tidy up are our attacking formations. We have a game-plan and systems in place that work on the training pitch, but get forgotten during the match. This comes down to trust which is building and we should see things improving in the second half of the season.”

One area Bude have been excellent at is their points against column with 125 conceded from ten games. Only Perranporth, who have let in 107 from the same number of fixtures, have a better record.

Parker continued: “Our defence has been phenomenal, our work-rate and organisation have really shone this year with players putting their bodies on the line to make that first up tackle or showing incredible pace to make it back to save a try.

“Our line-out has also functioned really well and with the introduction of new moves it has been a strong attacking platform for us. We also have new things coming, which are even more exciting.”

Bude’s last outing saw them earn a fine victory at Newquay Hornets, a result which saw them stay ahead of their coastal rivals.

Parker concluded: “Going away to Newquay was always going to be a tough day at the office, when Camborne give you the heads up about their pack you have to take note.

“The weather conditions were the worst we have had so far this season and on the day our lads adapted superbly, our set-piece functioned as well as it could and our backline were on the mark.

“Under such conditions it is hard to take away anything from the technical skill side of things, but the way each individual player adapted and reacted to the changeable conditions is what set us apart on the day.

“For the second week running we were denied a fourth try bonus-point by the ref’s decision, and on both occasions we have reviewed the footage and believe that the wrong decision was made on the day.

“These decisions are frustrating, but it is the nature of the game and we need to be sure that we are getting clearer groundings when scoring.”