BRADFORD crashed out of the fourth round of the Powergen Vase on Saturday in weather that was more suited for a yacht race.

They put up a brave fight in the windy conditions against the Cornwall and Devon League high flyers but their resistance was finally broken late on in the game.

Bradford opened the scoring with a well taken penalty by Dai Martin but the backlash was swift as Bude ran in two well worked tries in quick succession.

The visitors, not to be outdone, began to mount pressure on the Bude defence and following some good play by the back row forwards the backs spun the ball left for Martin to slide in at the corner.

Then after a scrum in the Bude 22, scrum half Tim Hardie broke down the blindside and outpaced the defence for a brilliant individual try.

Bude scored a try out wide just before the break to make the score 15-15 at half-time.

The second half saw several players take hefty knocks as both teams sought a breakthrough and tried to avoid extra time.

Bradford were pressing the Bude line and time and again their attack was repelled by a resolute Bude defence.

With 10 minutes remaining, the hosts broke clear following a rare Bradford error and scored a try.

Bradford immediately hit back with a penalty by Martin but again Bude broke from their half to score again and clinch the victory.

Coach David George had nothing but praise for his side's efforts.

He said: "Obviously losing a scrum half, a winger and a second row during the game did not help but the guys who came in did an excellent job.

This was a great game played between two adventurous teams in appaling conditions and congratulations to Bude who look well equipped to go all the way.

With several players carrying injuries, fly half Jon Cotton, outside centre Jason Clarke, full back Dai Martin, and prop Jock McKenzie, Bradford face a tough time against Corsham in the league at home tomorrow.