Saturday, March 17

The GoCrea8 Hockey League

Southern Two

BUDE can finally plan for next season in Southern Two of The GoCrea8 Hockey League despite falling to a 6-3 defeat at Caradon in their penultimate league game at Lux Park last Saturday.

The North Cornwall side started positively despite the blizzard conditions which saw them face driving snow and wind in the first-half; but it’s was Caradon who made the most of the tricky weather, getting themselves a penalty-flick early on to open the scoring.

This was soon doubled as Bude failed to mark their players sufficiently as a reverse-shot from midway in the D whistled into the bottom corner.

Bude rallied, and after some super-simple team passing, Cayden Gill ran in off the right-wing to slot home neatly and give Bude some hope.

This was short-lived as just before half-time Caradon overloaded the midfield and were able to carve through Bude’s defence to restore their two-goal lead, an advantage they maintained until the break.

The second-half got underway at Lux Park with the visitors ready to take advantage of the conditions, but they changed significantly in favour of the Liskeard-based club as the wind dropped and snow stopped failing.

As both teams pushed on trying to secure the points and league survival, the open play suited Caradon, as their quick, attacking midfield overloaded the Bude defence on multiple occasions. It was no surprise when they scored three more, to end the contest.

Bude eventually mustered a response, which revolved around Thomas Hall as he went on a strong solo run from the halfway line, straight through the middle of the pitch and past three defenders before nailing the ball home with an air of frustration.

They then had the final say as Gill, who was in sparkling form throughout, passed to Hall, who split the defence and drew the goalkeeper sideways before passing to Jared Slade to take a touch and lift it over the diving keeper.

This result, together with others falling kindly, gave both teams well-deserved guaranteed league survival.

Bude will finish sixth if they win their final game on Saturday when they entertain runners-up Plympton Grammar School Old Boys A (PGSOB) in their final game on Saturday (1pm).

West Clubs Women’s Hockey League

South Division

Bude 2

White Eagles 3

BUDE remain in deep trouble in their fight for survival in the South Division of the West Club Women’s Hockey League after losing 3-2 at home to White Eagles last Saturday.

The home side fell behind but equalised when a brilliant run from Charlotte Prime ended with Heather Mathews firing the ball in.

However their Tiverton-based visitors went up the other end before half-time to score and that’s how it stayed going into the break.

Bude continued to play well without finishing off their chances, but finally made it all square when vice-captain Emily Shepherd struck home a cross from skipper Anna Bury on the left-hand side.

White Eagles have enjoyed a decent campaign to sit in fifth and they secured their fourth away win of the season late on to condemn Bude to survival weekend showdowns at home to league leaders Falmouth on Saturday (2.30pm) before welcoming second bottom Okehampton on?Sunday (2.30pm).

As things stand, Bude have a four-point buffer, meaning a win over Falmouth will confirm safety while a draw would mean that Okehampton would have to have beaten fourth-placed Plymouth Marjon 2 before doing the same to the North Cornwall side on Sunday.

Bude —

James, Pipe, Mathews, E Shepherd, L Shepherd, Prime, Chan, Bury?(captain), Maloney, Higham,?Phillips, Old