BUDE have made four changes from the side beaten at Pirates Amateurs last weekend for tomorrow’s crucial double-header with Penryn at Bencoolen Meadow (2pm).

The contest is both a league game in Counties One Western West and also a first round tie in the Cornwall Knockout Cup, meaning there is plenty on the line.

While a cup run is always a nice added bonus, the importance of league points for the Seasiders cannot be underestimated as they head into a crucial run of fixtures after the Christmas break.

And although they were comfortably beaten in Penzance last weekend, scoring five tries for a bonus point was a big step in the right direction, particularly as the sides below them failed to add to their tally.

It means they currently sit five points above second bottom Falmouth.

Bude are in a four-team battle to avoid finishing in the bottom two alongside Bideford, who they face on the final day, and Falmouth and Wiveliscombe, who they both tackle in January.

Penryn are just one place above Bude but have 33 points compared to the Seasiders’ 17, and have seven wins and five defeats to their name.

When the sides met in South Cornwall back in September, the hosts ran out comfortable 38-3 winners, but they have struggled on their travels, losing all five of their encounters.

Bude are once again without prop Matt Williams with veteran Martin George once again starting, while in the pack, the team are boosted by the return of influential number eight Ben Hancock.

His inclusion means skipper Freddie Saxton lines up in an unfamiliar role at blindside-flanker with Finley Fry at openside, and youngster Harvey Cholwill switches to the replacements where he is also joined by the available-again Fraser Martyn.

In the backs, both centres are changed as Ed Hilliam-Cooke returns to the matchday 18, while Ben Tharme steps up from the bench.

Winger Rory Hodges drops down to the bench, while Patrick Marks isn’t involved.

The kick-off has been brought forward to 2pm in case there is a need for extra-time.

Bude Seconds have a long trip down to their Falmouth counterparts in Counties Cornwall Three (2.30pm).

BUDE v Penryn: Brad Thomas, Jack Horwell, Ben Tharme, Ed Hilliam-Cooke, Zerran Hammond, Olly Denford, Charlie Watton; Martin George, Rory Mead, Chris Allin, Will Hockridge, Will Kingdon, Freddie Saxton (capt), Finley Fry, Ben Hancock. Replacements: Fraser Martyn, Harvey Cholwill, Rory Hodges.