BUDE bounced back from their chastening defeat at the hands of champions-elect Camborne Seconds on Saturday as they claimed a solid six-try victory over St Austell Seconds at Bencoolen Meadow to keep up the pressure on Helston and Falmouth in the battle for the runners-up slot.

With both sides beset by injuries and other unavailability, they used the opportunity to give a taste of senior rugby to a few youngsters, including a debut by Bude from the bench of three-quarter Toby Mallard who impressed on the wing, as well as giving further experience for Colts captain Adam Lovejoy on the left-wing. In the absence of Brad Thomas there was also a welcome return after more than a year out for fly-half Charlie Watton.

Bude quickly got into their stride and from a driving maul it was hooker Harvey Cholwill that dotted down. Scrum-half Ollie Rowland, kicking in the absence of Thomas and Olly Denford, made no mistake.

Midway through the half, some excellent work by skipper Will Hockridge and inside-centre Joe Wilson carved open St Austell's defence with the latter going over under the posts.

Saints then responded with a sustained period of pressure which saw the home side's scrum creaking, but Bude added a third try in the closing minutes of the half. From an attacking line-out, fine work by Hockridge and Watton created space out wide on the left and Lovejoy was sent over in the corner for his first try at senior level.

Leading 19-0 at the break, the Seasiders opened the second period in lively fashion despite losing Watton to a hamstring injury which meant a re-jig of the backline.

However, the hosts continued to be on top and from an attacking scrum in the visitors' 22, Rowland darted in under the posts for Bude's fourth try. He then added the extras for good measure.

A fifth try arrived when a powerful drive from the base of a scrum by No.8 Fred Saxton carved open the visitors' defence, and when he was halted, Hockridge was on hand to take the scoring pass and drive over for Rowland to slot the conversion.

With the scoreboard reading 33-0 in Bude's favour, St Austell could be excused throwing in the towel. However, they were having none of that, as they attacked strongly, but again the hosts' defence was resolute.

A sixth and last try of the afternoon for the home side by Wilson, blasting through Saints' defence on a crash ball, completed the scoring and his brace.

This Saturday sees a busy day for the Seasiders with the firsts entertaining their Helston counterparts in a rearranged league match (2.45pm), while the Seconds are also at home to Helston in Counties 3 Cornwall League Cup (2.30pm).

Bude Colts play host to a combined Newquay Hornets/Truro side in the Cornwall Colts Cup on Saturday morning (11am), while on Sunday, Bude Ladies entertain Exeter Saracens in Women's NC2 South West (West) (2.30pm).

BUDE: Josh Rowland; Cobi Yelland, Edy Hilliam-Cooke, Joe Wilson, Adam Lovejoy; Charlie Watton, Ollie Rowland; Charlie Firman, Harvey Cholwill, Hayden Chater; Will Hockridge (capt), Alex Robinson; Oscar Davey, Matt Maniglia, Fred Saxton. Replacements: Martin George, Anthony Kennett, Ollie Mounce, Toby Mallard.

Tries: Cholwill, Wilson (2), Lovejoy, Rowland, Hockridge; Convs: Rowland (4); Pens: N/A.

Seasiders’ man-of-the-match: Ollie Rowland.