IT WAS a day of contrasting emotions for Bude at Liskeard-Looe's Lux Park last Saturday.

First, prior to the match they were awarded the Tribute Ale Cornwall team of the month for September by league secretary and match referee, Lee Maher, following their impressive start to the season, but then put in a disappointing performance in stormy conditions which resulted in a close, but nevertheless decisive, defeat.

That is not to say that parts of their game didn't perform well as their three-quarter line put together some good attacking moves and their line-out was strong all afternoon.

However, they never got to grips with the dominant Lions' set-piece scrum which gave the home side the edge and in a low-scoring encounter.

A penalty try awarded to the home side some 15 minutes from the final whistle proved to be the clinching score.

The Seasiders made a couple of changes in their starting line-up from the previous week, with Edy Hilliam-Cooke coming in at inside-centre for the unavailable Olly Denford, while Fred Saxton returned at No.8 for the injured Joe Wilson.

In addition, Josh Rowland, a recent signing from Launceston gained a place on the bench and made his debut in the second half.

Bude made a promising start with an excellent try in the corner from scrum-half Ollie Rowland following a well-worked line-out move, while Saxton touched down from the base of a scrum, again wide out on the left.

However, given the stormy conditions, fly-half Brad Thomas was unable to convert either try, while in reply the hosts had the benefit of a full seven-pointer as flanker Andy Rowe dotted down under the posts from a close-range scrum, with fly-half Callum Beaver adding the extras.

Shortly before the break the visitors thought they had scored again, this time a try from second row Charlie Firman, but that was disallowed for unclear grounding and at the interval they held a 10-7 lead which was as good as it got from their point of view.

As the game wore on in the second half, Bude's set scrum came under increasing pressure, with the Lions' tighthead prop, Jack Wilton, putting in a dominant shift and with that they began to lose the penalty count.

Eventually, on 65 minutes, Mr Mather lost patience after a sustained period of pressure from the Liskeard eight and awarded a penalty try which tipped the game in the hosts' favour.

It was a disappointing end to an afternoon that had started so brightly, but, at least, the Seasiders did have the consolation of a losing bonus point which keeps them in the mix at the top of the table.

This Saturday, Bude return to home pastures where Falmouth are the visitors (3pm).

Meanwhile, the Colts are away to Falmouth Colts in the Cornwall Colts League, while the Seconds have no game.

On Sunday, Bude Ladies are at home to Newton Abbot in the Women's NC2 South West (West) League (2.30pm).

BUDE: Will Pharo, Oscar Davey, Ben Tharme, Edy Hilliam-Cooke, Cobi Yelland, Brad Thomas, Ollie Rowland; Alex Robinson, Harvey Cholwill, Hayden Chater; Will Hockridge (capt), Charlie Firman; Finley Fry, Matt Maniglia, Fred Saxton. Replacements: Matt Shadrick, Olly Mounce, Josh Rowland.

Tries: O Rowland, Saxton; Convs: N/A; Pens: N/A.