AFTER an enforced lay-off the previous week due to a waterlogged pitch at Perranporth, Bude returned to league action last Saturday as they entertained Launceston Castles at Bencoolen Meadow in what was the first time the clubs had played against each other at senior level since the RFU Leagues were formed nearly 40 years ago.

The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges and they used the power of their set-piece to good effect to create a number of excellent attacking positions.

However, the Seasiders' mean defence was rewarded on 14 minutes as they broke the deadlock. After the Bude pack had driven up field to create a bridge head, a maul was formed just inside the visitors' 22 and with scrum-half Ollie Rowland's slick service finding Fred Saxton on his shoulder, the No.8 made good ground before releasing the ball out wide where tighthead-prop Hayden Chater crossed. Brad Thomas added the extras for 7-0.

Scoring opportunities remained few and far between before the break as the scoreline remained unchanged.

However, just before the 50-minute mark with Cobi Yelland off the field having a cut to his head attended to, temporarily replaced by Joe Wilson in the centre, Bude went further ahead.

From an attacking maul deep in the visitors' 22, the ball was slipped to Wilson and he forced his way over from close-range. Thomas again added the extras and the hosts' lead was extended to 14-0.

Back came Launceston with a series to good attacks, most of which came from distance, but the Seasiders' defence was holding firm.

Then, in the 68th minute Bude made game safe when from another good attacking position deep in the Castles' 22 following a powerful surge from Saxton, the ball was worked to the left along the three-quarter line and Yelland was on the end and able to dot down in the corner. Thomas again converted superbly from the touchline and now there was no way back for the visitors.

Shortly before the final whistle the hosts did have one final chance to grab a fourth try and with it a bonus point as they drove a maul up to and over the Castle's try line, but from former Seasider Dan Pearce got his hands under the ball welland the score was chalked off.

This Saturday Bude travel to fourth-placed Newquay Hornets, who sit one place and one point above the Seasiders (2.30pm), while at the same time, the Seconds entertain Falmouth Seconds in the Counties 3 Tribute Ale League Cup.

The the Colts are away to Redruth Colts in the Cornwall Colts League and Bude Ladies have no game this weekend before they away to Helston Women on January 11 in Women’s NC 2 South West (West).

Bude’s ladies were beaten 59-19 on Sunday by visiting Cullompton, while Launceston Ladies lost 55-12 at leaders Ivybridge in the Women’s Championship South West Two division.

BUDE: Yelland, J Rowland, Tharme, Pharo, Wickett, Thomas, O Rowland; Firman, Cholwill, Chater; Hockridge (capt), Robinson; Fry, Maniglia, Saxton. Replacements: Kennett, Fackrell, Brown, Wilson.

Tries: Chater, Wilson, Yelland; Convs: Thomas (3); Pens: N/A.

LAUNCESTON CASTLES: Jasper, Ward, Hughes, Woods, Acres, Pearce, Sillifant; O Martin (capt), Howe, Stevens; Theobald, Greene; Westlake, Stiles, Johns. Replacements: Burden, Dennis, Hall, Knight.