BUDE skipper Warren Rumble praised his bowlers as they produced a stirring comeback to beat Ladock by seven wickets at Crooklets on Saturday in Division Two East of the Bond Timber Cornwall Cricket League.

Ladock raced along to 74-0 after ten overs with former Premier League player Alex Ridd smashing opening bowlers Matt Mansbridge (0-36 off 5) and Aussie Brett Hunter all over the ground.

But once James Turner removed Indian overseas Vivek Oza, soon followed by Matt Bray and Ridd for a rapid 87 off just 65 balls (16 fours, one six), Ladock’s innings subsided and fast.

With the visitors having several second teamers in, Rumble brought Hunter back on and the left-armer justified the decision by finishing with 4-40, including a hat-trick in the 28th over, the third of which saw Craig Butler trapped lbw.

A delighted Rumbe told the Post: “Having won the toss and decided to field, I was slightly concerned when Ridd brought up his 50 after eight overs! 

“But I always knew we only needed a couple wickets and we’d be in with a chance of getting them out because there were several second team players there.

“Andrew De Rosa bowled a really tight nine overs (0-19) to put the pressure on, and then JT managed to get the edge of both openers to start to really turn the tide of the game! 

“Then I brought Brett back on and he took a hat-trick which was absolute scenes! On the sidelines and on the pitch, it was a fantastic moment especially coming with an LBW so there was a slight wait before the umpire gave it out!”

Turner’s now taken nine wickets in his last three outings, and Rumble believes the former Werrington left-armer is justifying his faith.

He said: “James has really got his tail up, and is bowling well! He has a habit on taking wickets when we need them, and most importantly he’s not currently injured which is a minor miracle!”

Bude’s ground can be one of the fastest scoring around, but he praised the way they kept at it despite Ridd’s onslaught, adding: “It was great, I said in the chat afterwards that we did really well to keep concentration levels up when the ball was flying all over the place, and keep thinking we just needed a couple wickets to turn the game around, and we certainly did that!”

Bude were missing two of their regular top four in opener Wayne Adams and James Sharman, and fell to 53-3.

But needing just 104 and with plenty of overs in the tank, Rumble (79no) and Matt Whitefield (40no) were able to take their time.

Oza sent down nine overs for just five runs as well as dismissing Antony Buchanan, but the rest proved far more comfortable to score against.

Rumble said: “I never really felt like we were in trouble being three down.

“Ant is always a bit of a gamble to see if he could score some quick runs, but once Matt came into join myself batting I was confident we’d knock them off because we’ve done it a few times before and both ended up not out. We seem to enjoy batting together!”

Bude welcome fourth bottom Lanhydrock this weekend (1pm), and Rumble wants more of the same.

He said: “Again we’re at home so that brings some confidence, and the manner of which we turned that game around on Saturday raises that even higher.

“We are looking forward to it and hopefully another 20 points.”

The seconds also enjoyed a good weekend in Division Five East and visit Saltash St Stephens on Saturday (1pm).