Team Selection: Again, there were changes to the starting line-up of the previous week. Fly-half Ben Meaden was preferred at full-back and Alex Sutherland was moved to the bench. Alex Peel took over as fly-half, Jack Young taking his place at inside centre. Freddie Gleadowe, who did so well coming on in the second half at Camborne, retained his place at outside centre. In the forwards, Henry Taylor, who made his debut last weekend, replacing tight-head prop Luca Firetto, made his full debut this week in the same position. Luca is recovering from an Achilles injury. For Connor Scott, I had to go back to 18 April 2015 to find his last appearance for the ones which was against Oxford Harlequins and was beginning to wonder whether I had lost his records. Six years? Where does my young life go? Connor joined Jake Guildford at lock in place of Robbie Heath who is away. In the back row, Joe Rees took over from Joe Desmond at No. 8, the latter having got concussed in a robust training session Tuesday and Ben Kimber moved from open-side flanker to take Joe’s place at blindside. Ben Russell came off the bench to take his preferred place at open-side in place of his namesake. The returning Ciaran Smyth joined Tom Napier and Sutherland on the bench.

The weather was fine but overcast with very little wind, if any. Underfoot, still very firm.

Drybrook kicked off right to left as viewed from the stand and to their left.

Joe Rees fielded the kick-off and fed scrum-half Grant Hancox who kicked right. Drybrook ran the ball back going right and gained further ground with a kick in behind the defence. An awkward bounce saw the ball go into touch for a Drybrook throw-in on the half-way line. Showing very early signs of their aggressive approach to the game, Drybrook broke deep into the Bournemouth 22m, the defence struggling to contain the threat. Coming back right, they kicked further right for a Bournemouth line-out on the 5m line. It all amounted to a clear statement of intent by the visitors and Bournemouth would have to be fully alert to what was in front of them.

Bournemouth secured the line-out and cleared their lines with a kick left, finding touch on the half-way line. Off the line-out, Drybrook ran strongly into the contact, where the Bournemouth defence was up to the task and Drybrook gained no ground but when they released the ball, going further left, there was a knock-on wide out and Bournemouth had the relief of the put-in at a scrum inside the Drybrook 10m. Bournemouth showed early dominance in the scrum, certainly one positive feature of the afternoon from a Bournemouth perspective, enabling Hancox to pick up and break right. The scrum-half took play to their 22m, where Drybrook were penalised in trying to defend the threat and fly-half, Alex Peel, found touch to his right for an attacking line-out on the 5m line. Bournemouth contrived to lose their own ball but the Drybrook clearance kick was charged down and Bournemouth made up for the poor line-out when inside centre Jack Young was quickest to the loose ball to touch down for his first score of the season. The left-footed Hancox, uncharacteristically, pulled a relatively straightforward kick, if I am allowed to say such a thing, to the right of the near post to leave the score at 5-nil after eight minutes play, a lead, that could be said, to be against the run of play.

Drybrook restarted left, the ball fielded by Hancox who kicked long. A good chase put Drybrook under pressure but the chasers were penalised and Drybrook found touch to their left on the Bournemouth 10m. Going right, Drybrook initially made no headway in the face of a determined Bournemouth defence but they did manage to get the ball out wide for them to make a penetrating run which Bournemouth found hard to defend. Looking so dangerous with ball in hand, Drybrook came back left and forced their way into the Bournemouth 22m where they were awarded a scrum just 10m out from the Bournemouth line. Initially going right, fly-half George Paul cut back inside against the flow and scored a well-worked try. Full-back Tom Treherne kicked the goal and Drybrook took a not undeserved lead at 7-5, 14 minutes into the game.

Bournemouth struck back almost immediately after the restart when Drybrook were penalised just 30 metres out. From more or less in front of the posts, Hancox duly restored Bournemouth’s advantage, albeit reduced to just one point, at 8-7 just one minute later. Drybrook restarted left and determined forwards brushed aside any attempt by the Bournemouth forwards to catch the ball by knocking it back to set up a three-quarter attack to the right. Bournemouth were under some stress to contain this latest foray and, with good ball retention Drybrook came back left but the Bournemouth defence managed to wrestle the ball off their tormentors but at the expense of a Drybrook line-out on the 22m. The ball was secured at the back but as it was worked right it was lost forward in the face of the defensive tackling and Bournemouth had a scrum but still in the danger area, inside their own 22m. Drybrook drove the scrum back and were rewarded with a penalty but Treherne wasn’t able to take advantage and the score remained at 8-7 to Bournemouth after 20 minutes play.

With the kick at goal going ‘dead’ Bournemouth had a 22m drop-out which Peel kicked long and to his left. Drybrook countered coming back at Bournemouth to their left. A grubber kick through was fielded by Ben Meaden and the full-back immediately swung the ball inside to Peel who unceremoniously kicked the ball further left to the much safer territory of the Drybrook 22m for a Drybrook line-out. Drybrook’s scrum-half Colombo’s kick clear prompted an exchange of kicks with Peel having the final say by finding touch to his left back where all this started on the Drybrook 22m. Thrown long to the back, the Drybrook forwards do well driving forward but when the ball was released left, Drybrook were penalised in the contact. Peel again pinned them back but this time to his right for a Bournemouth line-out just outside the Drybrook 22m. Rees secured the ball but Drybrook were awarded a scrum. Bournemouth retrieved the situation by winning the put-in and, to add to Drybrook’s woes, the visitors were penalised. Hancox, from just right of the posts and just outside the Drybrook 22m, kicked the goal to extend Bournemouth’s lead and make the score 11-7 after 25 minutes play.

Drybrook were, let us mere observers say, obviously offside at the restart and Bournemouth opted for a scrum at the point of the kick-off. Rees broke off the back to set up a promising move going left but the ball was was dropped wide out for a Drybrook scrum. The crowd’s disappointment was palpable. The forwards made up for that by driving their opposite numbers off the ball and referee Simpson deemed to reward their efforts by awarding a penalty. Peel, with another fine kick, found touch to his left inside the Drybrook 22m. Openside Ben Russell secured the ball at the front of the line-out but Drybrook were again penalised in their efforts to prevent Bournemouth gaining any advantage. Peel duly found touch to his left but this time on the Drybrook 22m. Off the line-out, Bournemouth drove for the line then released right. In the shadow of the posts, Drybrook were again penalised . Blindside flanker Ben Kimber quickly took the penalty and forced his way over to score his second try of the season. Hancox kicked the goal and Bournemouth were two scores in front at 18-7 after 33 minutes play.

Right-wing Ryan Morrell fielded the restart and almost broke out. The ball was released left but when the ball was worked back right Drybrook were again penalised and Peel found touch to his right for a Bourenmouth line-out just 10 metres out from the Drybrook line.. Bournemouth drove off the line-out but Drybrook were awarded a scrum. Drybrook struggled to contain the Bournemouth shove but recovered sufficiently to kick left for the ball to be fielded by Morrell. The winger swung the ball back inside to Pell who kicked right were the ball was ‘marked’ for a Drybrook drop-out. The ball was fielded by Meaden who found Ollie Grainger-Williams. The winger was stopped rather abruptly midfield but when Bournemouth went left Drybrook earned themselves the throw-in at a line-out outside the Bournemouth 10m. Attacking left off the line-out, Drybrook were penalised midfield for being ‘off their feet’ in the contact and Peel kicked left to find touch outside the Drybrook 10m. Going right, inside centre Jack Young made progress with a dummy but the ball got lost only for Drybrook to be penalised. From outside the Drybrook Hancox kicked another fine goal to make the score 21-7. A minute later the same player, fielding the restart kicked the ball into touch on the half-way line for Simpson, after playing three minutes of injury time, blew his whistle for the players to troop off for their well-earned half-time oranges.

Bournemouth, now playing right to left, restarted with Peel kicking left and Drybrook responded by attacking left through their threes. Bournemouth were penalised in defending the move and Drybrook found touch further left on he half-way line. Attacking first to their right off the line-out, Drybrook came back left where Bournemouth were again penalised. Drybrook found touch to their left on the Bournemouth 22m. Driving off the line-out, the ball was released to Colombo and the scrum-half was almost ‘in’. Maintaining the momentum, Drybrook swung the ball wide and again seemed almost in wide out on the right but remarkably Grainger-Williams came up with the ball, don’t ask me how he did it, to save the situation. Crucially the Drybrook No. 8, M Bourne was ‘red carded’ for punching and after just five minutes into this second half, Drybrook were down to 14 men. A hammer blow for the visitors. In the same incident, Meaden was forced to retire with a badly cut head to be replaced by Alex Sutherland. Another fine kick by Peel found touch to his left on the half-way line. Drybrook were penalised at the line-out but this time Peel sliced his kick and the ball went ‘dead’ for a Drybrook 22m drop-out. Kimber fielded the ball and charged into the contact but Drybrook ‘turned the ball over’ and countered, swinging the ball left. Strong-running backs with good ball retention took the ball deep into the Bournemouth 22m where, with the help of the forwards, drove over the line for lock Glen Nott to score. Treherne kicked the goal and suddenly Bournemouth’s lead looked very fragile at 21-14, nine minutes into the half.

George Paul, the Drybrook fly-half, restarted by kicking left and Bournemouth returned by kicking left to find touch deep inside the Drybrook. Astonishingly, the Drybrook player retrieved the ball, threw it to himself to set off on an ambitious counter-attack. It rather went pear-shaped when the clearance kick was charged down and went bouncing into the dead-ball area where Drybrook won the frantic race to touch the ball down, just, for a 22m drop-out. Kimber fielded the ball but again Bournemouth were penalised when they took the ball into contact. Grainger-Williams fielded the penalty kick and had a run, linking with Hancox. The scrum-half kicked and Drybrook, with typical aggressive running, took the ball back into contact where again the Bournemouth defence was penalised, this time for a high tackle.

Paul found touch to his right for a Drybrook line-out outside the Bournemouth 22m. Drybrook attacked left off the line-out but couldn’t get beyond the gain line. Yet again the Bournemouth defence was penalised, prompting Simpson to have a ‘quiet’ word with captain Alan Manning. Treherne exacted the appropriate sanction and these 14 men from the Forest of Dean had dragged themselves back to within four points of Bournemouth at 17-21, 16 minutes into the half.

Peel restarted by kicking left and the chasing Russell did well to recover the ball for Bournemouth to release the ball right but a knock-on midfield rather undid a promising move and Drybrook had a scrum instead. Simpson awarded Bournemouth a free kick quickly taken by Hancox. He went right on a strong run before the ball came back inside. Peel chose to kick long to his right to find touch just 10 metres out from The Drybrook line. Drybrook kicked left off the line-out to find touch beyond their 22m. Bournemouth attacked left off the line-out and, wide out, Sutherland, coming into the line, managed to evade the would-be tacklers with a typical strong for the replacement full-back to score wide of the left upright. Hancox kicked the goal and vitally Bournemouth had restored a ‘two-score’ lead at 28-17, after 25 minutes play of the second half. Tom Napier replaced tightwad prop Henry Taylor at this juncture.

Drybrook restarted left and Hancox kicked long in return. Drybrook ran the ball back but the Bournemouth defence ‘won’ a scrum inside the Bournemouth 10m. The drive by the forwards was penalised and Drybrook found touch to their left outside the Bournemouth 22m. Bournemouth were penalised at the line-out and the referee had a word with the players. Drybrook found touch to their left just five metres out from the Bournemouth line. Bournemouth countered the Drybrook drive but were penalised again but this time Joe Rees was shown a yellow card and a rather disconsolate No. 8 left the field of play for ten minutes. Drybrook repeated the aforesaid process and this time Bournemouth couldn’t resist the drive and Drybrook scored in the corner. Treherne hit a fine goal and Drybrook were back with-in a ‘score’ at 24-27 with 32 minutes of the half gone. Crucially, though, the sides were now 14 players a-piece.

Bournemouth did well to recover the restart and attacked right winning a scrum on the Drybrook 22m. Drybrook resisted the Bournemouth shove and were rewarded with the put-in at a scrum. They themselves came under pressure from the Bournemouth forwards but still managed to swing the ball right where a Bournemouth knock-on in the contact gave Drybrook another scrum outside their own 10m. Bournemouth were caught offside at the scrum and Drybrook found touch to their right inside the Bournemouth 10m. Drybrook initially drove the ball before releasing it left but a, perhaps over ambitious, pass wide went into touch for a Bournemouth line-out. The Bournemouth forwards drove the ball before releasing left and Peel kicked to find touch on the half-way line for a Drybrook throw-in. A Bournemouth knock-on at he line-out gave Drybrook the put-in at a scrum but the Bournemouth shove was rewarded with a penalty. Sutherland maximised the reward by finding touch to his left for a Bournemouth line-out on the Drybrook 22m. This gain was nullified when Bournemouth were penalised at the line-out and Drybrook were able to relieve the pressure by finding touch to their right on the Bournemouth 10m. One good thing though, three minutes into injury time, Rees was ‘restored’.

Bournemouth were penalised for ‘handling on the ground and found themselves back outside their own 22m defending an attacking line-out, a reverse of their own position just a few moments before. Drybrook drove off the line-out but were penalised inside the Bournemouth 22m. Sutherland found touch to his left. Rees secured the throw-in at the front of the line-out and Hancox swung the ball right. Bournemouth’s attack faltered in the face of some determined Drybrook defence and the visitors had the put-in at a scrum as reward for their efforts outside the Bournemouth 22m. Perhaps reeling under this constant 14-man pressure, Bournemouth were penalised at the scrum and Drybrook gave themselves a chance of winning this match, a try would do, by finding touch to their right just 10 metres from the Bournemouth line. Their hopes weren’t to be when Bournemouth ‘turned the ball over’ at the line-out and, with some collective relief, unceremoniously kicked the ball off the park to safety for Simpson, having played seven minutes of injury time, to blow for ‘no time’ leaving Bournemouth with a somewhat fortunate win at 28-24.

Whether it was 15 or 14 men didn’t seem to matter to Drybrook in an astonishing display, especially in that second half and Bournemouth struggled to contain their ambition. That quick throw-in to himself by the Drybrook player deep inside his own 22m, although it might have ended in disaster, was typical of their ambition and the determination to take the fight to the enemy. It remains a mystery to your correspondent at least as to why Drybrook are second bottom having not won a game and earned just four points (one of them today) for their efforts.

‘Well done’ to Ben Kimber on being the Bournemouth Man of the Match for the second time in just four matches. I repeat last week’s sentiments, typical of our newcomers’ outstanding contribution to their new club’s cause.

The win means we remain second in the table, although we are now tying with Hornets on 19 points but with a superior match-points difference. With top-placed Exeter University on 20 points, we are the only three unbeaten sides, the only other unbeaten side, Exmouth, lost away to Old Redcliffians today. As a result, Old Redcliffians leapfrogged their visitors to take fourth place.

The return match against Drybrook is away on January 15th. Next week we are away to Exeter University, KO 3pm assuming we have enough fuel to get down there.

Doug Warren

Team Selection: Having missed the pre-season and the first two League games, Freddie Gleadowe makes a welcome return to Bournemouth colours. Likewise, Ben Russell who was called up late because of Ciaran Smyth’s withdrawal for family reasons, was on the bench. Right-wing Ryan Morrell, No. 8 Joe Desmond, flanker Joe Rees and scrum-half Grant Hancox were back, having all missed the Brixham game. Joe Desmond replaced Ben Kimber at No 8 whilst Ben took the absent Ciaran’s place as OS flanker, meaning Ben has played in all three back row positions in these first three League games. On the blindside, Joe Rees takes over from Matt Warwick who was at Salisbury with the twos to complete an extensive reshaping of the back line. Robert Heath, after making such an impact coming on at half-time last week as replacement lock, retains his place to make his deserved first start in the League. The front row is the one unit that remains unchanged for the third successive game. On the bench, newcomer Henry Turner makes his first appearance for Bournemouth and is rewarded with a long trip to the West Country. It all amounted to many changes to the line-up against Brixham but in the post-match huddle it was clear how delighted captain Alan Manning was, that despite those changes, it was such a strong, committed team performance.

The weather was very dull and mizly for most of the first half with very little wind, if any, but, as the front moved through, the weather brightened up to leave perfect conditions for a game of rugby football for the remainder of the game. Underfoot, recent rain had softened the surface which was a relief after all that hard stuff these recent weeks.

Camborne kicked off left to right as viewed from the stand and to their left.

Camborne kicked the Bournemouth clearance return low and to their right where it was fielded by full-back Alex Sutherland. From with-in his own 22m, he cleared left for a Camborne throw-in on the halfway line. Although Bournemouth managed to drive Camborne back to their 10m line, a knock-on at the line-out saw Camborne have the put-in at a scrum. Fly-half Adam Long kicked long and to his left deep into the Bournemouth 22m and the excellent Camborne chase put the visitors under much pressure and were rewarded with another put-in at a scrum just 10 metres out from the Bournemouth line. Bournemouth were penalised at the scrum and in defending the Camborne quickly taken penalty, scrum-half Grant Hancox was ‘yellow carded’ for a dangerous tackle and inside centre Alex Peel took on the role of scrum-half. Hmmh! Not a good start. Maintaining the pressure, Camborne opted for another scrum but this time on the Bournemouth 5m. They broke right and the forwards forced their way over to score left of the posts. Scrum-half Sam Carter kicked the goal and Camborne led 7-nil after six minutes play. As I said, ‘not a good start’. Full-back Alex Sutherland restarted right, and the ball went into touch for a Camborne throw-in on their 22m. Going left, Bournemouth forced the turnover and Camborne were penalised for ‘going over the top’ in their efforts to retrieve the situation. From still on the Camborne 22m, Sutherland found an excellent touch just 5m out from the Camborne try line for a promising attacking line-out. The throw-in was duly secured, and the forwards drove for the line. Camborne were again penalised, this time for bringing down the maul and Sutherland again found touch on the 5m line. As before, the forwards drove for the line, but a stout Camborne defence forced them to release right. Fly-half Ben Meaden, spotting that Ryan Morrell was very lonely and feeling out of it in the vacant spaces out there on the wing, decided that it was only fair he should be part of this and kicked an immaculately judged ball for the aforesaid winger to catch it and spot it unopposed. Sutherland was given the responsibility of kicking the goal which he duly did to tie up the scores at 7-all, 11 minutes into the game. That settled the nerves a little for us on the touchline, alright then us up in the stand. Inside centre Max Horton restarted by kicking left returned in kind by Bournemouth and had the fortune of Camborne knocking on for a Bournemouth scrum. Bournemouth kicked left and a good chase by left-wing Ollie Grainger-Williams (OGW) helped force the Camborne error in the contact for a Bournemouth scrum inside the Camborne 22m. Bournemouth took the ball into contact and Camborne were forced to concede a penalty in their attempts to stem the strong tide of Bournemouth players. Sutherland again found touch to his left on the Camborne 5m. The miscreant Hancox was restored at this point but remained an onlooker as the Bournemouth forwards secured the throw-in and drove for the line for the tighthead Luca Firetto to score his first try of the season and a respectable 15th of his League career. Hancox kicked the goal and Bournemouth took the lead for the first time at 14-7 after 17 minutes play. Camborne restarted left and Bournemouth cleared right for a Camborne line-out on the Bournemouth 10m. Securing the throw-in, Camborne went right and kicked. Sutherland fielded the ball and kicked only to find Camborne running it back, but they knocked the ball on to save any Bournemouth blushes who had a scrum on their own 10m. From the base of the scrum, Hancox kicked left for OGW to chase. Despite the winger’s tackle, Camborne broke out into the Bournemouth half. A kick through just carried over the line for Sutherland to touch down for an ‘in goal’ drop out. In an attempt to catch Camborne unawares, Sutherland kicked right but Horton recovered the ball just metres out from the Bournemouth line and was over wide out on the left. Carter couldn’t convert but, at least, Camborne were back within two points at 12-14 after 22 minutes play. Sutherland restarted left and was back in position to field the Camborne kick return. The full-back, in turn, kicked and the Bournemouth chase managed to charge down Camborne’s kick, the ball bouncing into touch to Bournemouth’s left on the Camborne 10m. The Camborne throw-in was not straight for a Bournemouth scrum. The Bournemouth forwards drove their opposite numbers back, but referee Ellis Davis blew his whistle to stop play in order an injury to hooker Alan Manning’s eye could be attended to by physio Harri Lawrance. The hooker was forced to retire to be replaced by Ben Russell who took his place on the flank in place of Ben Kimber who took over as hooker. From the reset scrum, Bournemouth went right and were awarded another scrum after a Camborne knock on in the contact inside the Camborne 22m. Coming left, Bournemouth were penalised for ‘crossing’ and Carter found touch to his left inside the Camborne 10m. Camborne went right from the line-out and Bournemouth were penalised on the halfway line, Carter pressing them even further back by finding touch to his left on the Bournemouth 22m. The throw-in was won by Bournemouth rather untidily, but Hancox was able to tidy up and kicked. A good chase by the Bournemouth backs retrieved the ball but when they swung the ball left were penalised for ‘being off their feet’ as they piled into a tackle. Carter again pressed Bournemouth back by finding touch to his right inside the Bournemouth 22m. The throw-in was secured at the back and the Camborne forwards drove the ball before releasing left but the three-quarter move was met by a determined Bournemouth defence. Nonetheless, they retained the ball and swung it right but were penalised midfield and Sutherland found touch to his right on the halfway line. From the line-out, Bournemouth went left but Camborne were penalised defending the threat. From inside the Camborne 10m, Hancox struck a fine goal to stretch his side’s lead to five points at 17-12 after 36 minutes play. Camborne restarted left and Hancox was on hand to bang the ball back, finding touch to his right for a Camborne throw-in on their own 10m. Camborne rather got their timing wrong resulting in a dummy throw-in by hooker Aden Brassington and Davis awarded Bournemouth a free kick. Bournemouth went left but Camborne turned the ball over and broke right. This promising counterattack came to naught though when they were penalised and Hancox was given a similar chance to his earlier effort for a kick at goal but, this time, just a couple of metres inside the Camborne half. However, the result wasn’t similar as the normally reliable kicker pulled the kick and the ball went ‘dead’ for a Camborne 22m drop-out. Hancox fielded the ball and an exchange of kicks saw Bournemouth have a line-out on their left outside the Camborne 22m. The stoppage in play enabled Manning to be restored and Russell returned to the bench. The throw-in was again rather untidy, but Bournemouth managed to retain possession and attacked right. Camborne managed to stop the attack right on their left-hand touchline but as a result of the contact, lock Robert Heath was shown a yellow card. From the resulting penalty, Horton found touch to his left and referee Davis blew for half-time having played three minutes of injury time.

Sutherland started the second half by kicking left and Camborne responded by finding touch to their right beyond their 22m for a Bournemouth line-out. The ball was ‘overthrown’ and was recovered by Camborne who went left. A forward pass midfield nullified the threat and Bournemouth had a scrum but were promptly awarded a free kick. A bad pass left gave Camborne the chance to kick right. OGW recovered the ball but was dispossessed and Camborne scored to the left of the posts to tie up the scores at 17-all, but Carter kicked the goal to put his side ahead for the second time at 19-17 just a couple of minutes into the half. Sutherland restarted by kicking left and Camborne ran the ball back into contact for Carter to kick right. Bournemouth responded by kicking back and Camborne ran it back going left before kicking. Morrell does well in first fielding the ball and then evading the chaser to set up his own kick and chase into the Camborne 22m where Camborne cleared left for a Bournemouth line-out outside the Camborne 10m. A Bournemouth kick from the line-out was kicked back and Bournemouth ran it back. Camborne managed to recover the ball and kicked it left for a Bournemouth line-out inside the Camborne 10m. Bournemouth’s line-out woes continued with Camborne winning the throw-in and they went right. Carter kicked but Bournemouth were awarded a free kick and Sutherland found touch to his right, outside the Camborne 10m. Bournemouth drove off the line-out. In the face of a stout Camborne defence, they released the ball left but were forced into touch for a Camborne throw-in outside their own 22m. At least, 10 minutes into the half, it gave an opportunity for Heath to be restored to the fray. Securing the ball, the Camborne forwards first drove the ball before releasing it to their backs who broke out going right into the Bournemouth half. This promising move was thwarted when Davis awarded a penalty to Bournemouth and Sutherland found touch to his left. At the line-out, Bournemouth were awarded another penalty and Sutherland found again touch but this time to his right. This stoppage, 12 minutes into the half, enabled Freddie Gleadowe to come on in place of outside centre Jack Young. Bournemouth contrived to lose the ball at the back and Carter kicked left for a Bournemouth line-out on the Camborne 10m. From the line-out, Bournemouth attacked left, and Camborne were penalised as they tried to defend. Sutherland found touch further to his left inside the Camborne 22m. The drive off the line-out went to ground and a quickly taken penalty was whipped left and OGW was over in the corner, managing to run the ball closer to the posts. Hancox eschewed this offer of help, the left-footer pulling his kick at goal across the face of the goal, but Bournemouth were back in the lead at 22-19, 16 minutes into the half. Camborne kicked left fielded by Heath. A good Camborne chase put the lock under pressure, but his fellow forwards were there in numbers and Firetto broke out from the maul and made good progress down the right before feeding Morrell. A prop feeding a winger. What do you make of that? The wing chipped and chased but, in trying to recover the ball, knocked it on for a Camborne scrum on their own 5m. The Bournemouth eight put Camborne under pressure but recovered sufficiently for Carter to clear left. His kick was half charged down, and the ball went into touch outside the Camborne 22m for a Camborne throw-in. Again, the line-out was untidy as the two sides competed for the ball but Bournemouth were penalised for their efforts and Horton further relieved the pressure by finding touch to his left on the Camborne 10m. Securing the throw-in, Camborne kicked and did well to recover the ball swinging it wide right to set up a dangerous attack before coming back left. However, the Bournemouth defence was up to the task and in holding up the Camborne attack earned themselves a penalty on their own 22m. Sutherland found touch to his right, but the throw-in was overthrown, and Camborne recovered the ball. They went left but it would appear Davis was playing advantage because when played ‘stalled’ he came back to an earlier Bournemouth infringement (offside?) just outside their 22m. From in front of the posts, Carter kicked the penalty to tie up the scores at 22 apiece, 26 minutes into the half. Sutherland restarted left and the willing OGW gave chase and tackled the ball carrier. Camborne, nonetheless, managed to clear left for a Bournemouth line-out outside the Camborne 22m. Bournemouth went right, and a miss pass midfield was almost intercepted, but it was knocked on for a Bournemouth scrum inside the Camborne 10m. The opportunity was taken for Henry Turner to come on for his first playing opportunity in place of tighthead prop Firetto. Going left, OGW had another good run but, when the ball came back inside, a determined Camborne defence turned the ball over and, further to that, Bournemouth were penalised in trying to get the ball back. Camborne found touch to their right on the Bournemouth 10m. Securing the throw-in they went left. A pass midfield didn’t go to hand and Bournemouth were awarded a penalty. From the Camborne 10m. Hancox kicked a fine goal to put his side back in the lead at 25-22, after 32 minutes play in this second half. Camborne restarted left and a good chase put receiver, blindside flanker Joe Rees, under some pressure and the ball was knocked on for a Camborne scrum outside the Bournemouth 22m. Camborne went right but another pass didn’t go to hand to stall their efforts. Recovering, they came back right but the Bournemouth defence forced the turn-over and they kicked down field, the ball going into touch on the left on the Camborne 22m. Camborne secured the throw-in and their forwards drove the ball but were ‘held up’ for a Bournemouth put-in. Hancox swung the ball right and what followed, and forgive my partisanship, was sublime. Any words of mine are quite insufficient to describe the move, the timing of the passing, the movement of the players but suffice to say, outside centre Freddie Gleadowe, in his first game this season, did very well to put Sutherland into space and the full-back was over unopposed for the bonus-point try. I’m glad to say he survived unscathed from the joyous mobbing by his fellow players. Perhaps caught up in the excitement, Hancox, from right of the posts, pulled his effort just to the right of the near upright but still leaving a ‘two-score’ lead at 30-22, after 37 minutes play in this second half. Bournemouth contrived to get themselves penalised at the restart and Horton found a good touch to his left on the Bournemouth 22m. Fortunately, Bournemouth secured the throw-in and Meaden kicked right for a Camborne line-out inside the Bournemouth 10m. Securing the ball, the Camborne forwards drove the ball, but Bournemouth ‘won’ the ball and released it right for a strong run down the wing, but the Camborne defence forced the ball carrier into touch for a Camborne line-out. Swinging the ball wide, Camborne attacked down the left but, wide out, Morrell, judging the situation well, made a timely interception and, to the obvious despair of the home crowd, ran from well inside his own half to deliver a killer score under the posts. Hancox kicked the goal and, after two minutes of injury time, Bournemouth stretched away to 37-22. Camborne restarted left, fielded by Rees. Russell broke down the right and he almost put Morrell free, but the timing of the pass meant it went into touch instead for a Camborne throw-in just outside their 22m. Bournemouth secured the ball and Camborne were penalised in their efforts to retrieve it. Hancox had a quick word with the referee and promptly kicked the ball off for Davis to blow for no side to end the match.

A well-earned win in the end but I will leave it to the coaches for their own analysis and assessment of the game. Well said captain Alan Manning in his post-match huddle. One can only concur how gratifying it is that everybody, despite the changes we have experienced over these first three games, gels and works together to give such a resilient team performance.

‘Well done’ to Jake Guildford on being the Bournemouth Man of the Match. Typical of our newcomers’ outstanding contribution to their new club’s cause.

The win means we move second in the table, tying with Exeter University on 15 points but with an inferior match-points difference. We are the only two sides with maximum points with the other two unbeaten sides, Hornets having a non-bonus point win at home to Launceston and Exmouth, perhaps unexpectedly, drawing a high-scoring match at home to Old Centralians.

Doug Warren

The weather was bright spells and warm with a gentle Westerly breeze blowing straight down the pitch. Underfoot it was very dry, and firm as might be expected from the prevailing meteorological conditions in this early September. I think I said something similar last week.

With the wind behind them, Bournemouth defended the Western end as Brixham kicked off to their right.

From the Brixham kick Bournemouth were awarded the throw-in outside their 10m. Scrum-half Connor Hutchison did well to tidy up some loose ball at the lineout and, evading a would-be tackler, made a dart up the left, tight on the touchline. In trying to stop him Brixham were penalised for their troubles and full-back Alex Sutherland found touch to his left, inside the Brixham 10m. Bournemouth went right, and inside centre Alex Peel took the ball into contact but there was a Bournemouth knock-on as each side tussled for the ball for a Brixham scrum on the Brixham 10m. Brixham set up a dangerous three-quarter move first going left then back right and, to us observers from afar, having got the ball over the line seemed to have scored but Bournemouth had managed to steal it and touched down for a drop-out. I suppose we will get use to this new law about drop-outs being taking from the in-goal area but. I further suppose, it makes sense not giving a 22m advantage as well. Keeping up the pressure on the home defence, Brixham came straight back, and Bournemouth did well to turn the ball over and kicked to clear. However, the respite was only temporary as again Brixham came back strongly first right then left but Bournemouth were penalised prompting referee Henry Lowis to have a ‘wee word’ with captain Alan Manning. He’s reason for the ‘chat’ became clearer when play was brought back to an earlier Bournemouth infringement on the Bournemouth 10m. Fly-half Mitch Pinkus found a good touch to his left inside the Bournemouth 22m for a Brixham throw-in. Again, they attacked strongly going through the hands to the right, but the redoubtable Bournemouth defence stood firm and forced the ball-carrier in to touch dangerously close to the Bournemouth try-line for a Bournemouth throw-in on the 5m. Good law that pulling play that extra couple or so metres away from the try-line. Bournemouth secured the throw-in and the forwards drove their opposite numbers back before releasing the ball to Hutchison who kicked. Brixham responded by going left and kicked to gain further ground, but Sutherland was on hand to kick right and clear the danger. From their line-out on the Bournemouth 10m, Brixham attacked right but Bournemouth defensive pressure yielded a penalty on the halfway line. Sutherland’s kick left failed to find touch and Brixham kicked the ball back. This prompted a Bournemouth response, and they ran the ball back to outside the Brixham 22m, but the ball was lost in the contact for a Brixham put-in. Despite putting the Brixham under some pressure, they managed to get the ball away, taking play up to the Brixham 10m where the home side were again penalised. Pinkus found touch to his right and from the line-out, Brixham came back left but again the Bournemouth defence were ‘up to the job’ and turned the ball over for a Bournemouth scrum. Hutchison whipped the ball left and the three-quarters took play into the Brixham 22m where the visitors managed to stem the flow. After a ‘reset’, Bournemouth went further left where stand-in No 8 Ben Kimber forced his way over for his first score for the club. Sutherland was unable to convert the try but, dare I say, somewhat against the early play Bournemouth nonetheless led 5-0 after a quarter of an hour. Brixham restarted by kicking left but an uncertain Bournemouth receivers allowed the ball to bounce and then managed to knock the ball on as they scrambled to recover for a Brixham put-in on the Bournemouth 22m. Not an encouraging restart. Brixham went right but a knock-on out wide was fly-hacked on the full but referee Lowis decided not enough advantage had been gained and he took play back to an earlier Brixham knock-on for a Bournemouth scrum inside their own 10m. Bournemouth attacked right and Brixham were penalised as they try to defend. Sutherland found touch further to his right for a Bournemouth throw-in on the halfway line. Brixham pressure at the line-out gave them the put-in at a scrum. However, Bournemouth scrummaging pressure yielded the penalty to retrieve the situation and Sutherland pressed the visitors back to just outside their own 22m by finding touch to his right. Worryingly, Bournemouth again failed to secure their own ball and Brixham drove to ‘win’ a scrum inside the Bournemouth 10m. Again, the Brixham scrum came under immense pressure, but they still managed to get the ball away right where more Bournemouth defensive pressure turned the ball over for the threes to counterattack right. Brixham were penalised in their attempts to defend in mid-field and, from some 35 metres out and to the right of the posts, Sutherland kicked the goal for his side to lead 8-0 after 23 minutes play. Bournemouth’s uncertainty at the restart was somewhat salvaged by a Brixham knock-on as they looked to take advantage but a scrum just outside your own 22m ain’t good. Tensions between the two set of forwards manifested itself in the usual way and Lowis, rather bravely I thought, ‘stepped in’ to calm the situation and quietly took the two captains aside to explain his view on the fracas. Bournemouth were adjudged the culprits and Pinkus found touch to his left inside the Bournemouth 22m to set an attacking line-out. Brixham attacked right and then swung the ball back left where a big miss pass stretched the Bournemouth defence. However, Lowis decided not enough advantage had been gained and brought play back to an earlier Bournemouth penalty where a yellow card for openside Ciaran Smyth identified the miscreant in that incident. Pinkus found touch to his right. Brixham attacked left off the line-out just a few metres out from the Bournemouth try-line and, seemingly taking full advantage of the man short, scored wide out. Pinkus, with an excellent kick from tight on the touchline, found his target and in one fell swoop Brixham were within just one point of their opponents at 7-8 after half-an-hour’s play. Sutherland restarted left but Brixham returned by kicking right and earned themselves the throw-in on the halfway line. Bournemouth ‘steal’ the throw-in and Hutchison does well to break down the left to set up a strong Bournemouth attack. Brixham were penalised in their attempts to stop it and a Brixham player needed attention as a result of his part in the defence effort. Sutherland restarted play when, from the Brixham 22m, he found touch just those five metres out from the Brixham try-line. Bournemouth secured the throw-in and inevitably I suppose drove for the line. Stout Brixham defence initially kept the marauding foe out but crabbing right, an unfortunate word but you know what I mean, Bournemouth retained possession and eventually Captain Manning was driven over to score. Sutherland was unable to convert but at least Bournemouth were able to partly nullify the earlier Brixham score and had extended their lead to 13-7 after 39 minutes play. Hutchison claimed the restart and had a ‘go’ and Brixham were penalised for ‘not rolling’ as the defence descended on the scrum-half. Sutherland found touch to his right on the Bournemouth 10m. Bournemouth again failed to secure the throw-in and Brixham attacked right. They were given the put-in at a scrum midfield and flanker Smyth was restored to the action after 42 minutes play. Despite the Bournemouth scrummaging pressure, Brixham managed to recover and get the ball right. They took play into the Bournemouth 22m they were awarded a line-out and then a scrum for a knock-on. Bournemouth seemed to have tied the ball up tight on the touchline, but Brixham managed to release it left and a strong three-quarter attack saw them over in the corner. Another excellent kick from the flawless Pinkus saw his side take the lead at 14-13 and after five minutes of extra time, Lowis blew for the half-time break and those welcome oranges.

Head coach Mike Pope made one change to the line-up at half time asking Robert Heath to make his 1st XV debut in place of lock Pete Roberts.

Facing what breeze there was, Sutherland restarted the game by kicking left. Brixham secured the restart and went left. A kick deep into the Bournemouth half saw a similar response by Ben Meaden and the fly-half found touch to his left outside the Brixham 22m. Brixham went left but knocked the ball on for a Bournemouth scrum. Bournemouth went left but a miss pass saw Sutherland pick up the pieces. Brixham were penalised for not rolling away as they tried to neutralise that initiative and the same player kicked a goal from just outside the Brixham 10m to restore his home side’s lead, albeit slender, at 16-14 three minutes into the half. Brixham restarted by kicking right to be fielded by Smyth who fed Hutchison. The scrum-half’s kick had more of an upward trajectory rather than a forward trajectory and I’m sure he was grateful that his fellow players manged to retrieve it. It rather spoiled things when the kick right went straight out, rather nullifying the earlier good work, for a Brixham line-out on the Bournemouth 10m. Brixham attacked right but Bournemouth were award the put-in at a scrum on their 10m. Going right, Meaden kicked for territory, but the Brixham return kick was knocked on just outside the Bournemouth 22m for a Brixham put-in. Brixham scrum-half Jamie Hext broke right and Brixham continued the attack as they came back left. A Bournemouth defence under some pressure, were pleased to be awarded a scrum but it was only eight or so metres out from their own line. Hutchison swung the ball left and Bournemouth worked the ball into the hand of the fleet left-wing Ollie Grainger-Williams (OGW). The winger lived up to his soubriquet coupled with some neat foot work to made good progress up that left flank before being nobbled by the opposition but still managed to lay the ball back for Bournemouth to continue the breakout. Kicking right they had the bonus of Brixham failing to field the ball cleanly. At this point, nine minutes into the half, Tom Napier was brought on to replace loosehead prop Mike Davies which, at least, would give him time to admire his picture on the front of the programme. With the play restarting, Brixham kicked and regathered the ball to attack right but a knock-on rather spoilt things. From their put-in outside their own 22m, Kimber broke right and released the ball to the threes. The attempted clearance kick, much to the horror of the home supporters, let alone the players, was charged down and Brixham scored to the left of the posts. Pinkus did his thing and Brixham were back into the lead at 21-16, 11 minutes into the half. Soon after the restart, Bournemouth were awarded a line-out on their left on the Bournemouth 10m. Secured the throw-in sure enough but promptly kicked the ball out on the full to give Brixham a chance to see what they could with their line-out. They did well going left, taking play deep into the Bournemouth 22m causing the home defence all sorts of problems but were penalised enabling Sutherland to relieve the situation by finding touch to his right outside the Brixham 22m. The line-out proved to be a disaster for Brixham when Lowis showed a red card to Joey Capaldi and a thoroughly disconsolate lock trudged off the field, quarter-an-hour into the half. Sutherland found touch to his right to set up a promising attacking line-out outside the Brixham 22m. Maintaining good possession Bournemouth first went left and then back right but the final pass didn’t go to hand, the ball going straight into touch for a Brixham line-out just ten metres out from their own try-line. From the line-out Brixham went left and kicked for a Bournemouth line-out back on their own 22m. Recovering, Bournemouth took play back deep into the Brixham half where from just inside the Brixham 22m Manning broke clear and had an unstoppable run for the line to score his 50th League try for the club and tie up the scores at 21-21. Crumbs that lifted the spirits of the home crowd. From in front of the posts, Sutherland kicked the goal to put his side back into the lead at 23-21 halfway through this second half. At the restart, OGW had another run down his left flank and Brixham were penalised for a high tackle on the flying winger. Sutherland found touch to his left on the halfway line. From the line-out, Hutchison fed Meaden going right and Sutherland, coming into the line, accelerated into the gap. Brixham forced Bournemouth into touch for a Brixham line-out which gave the opportunity to bring on Jordan Wayman in place of inside centre Alex Peel. Coming first right then back left, Brixham kicked long further left but failed to find touch. Sutherland was able to field the ball and cleared right for a Brixham line-out but still inside the Bournemouth 22m. The throw-in was not straight for a Bournemouth scrum. The Bournemouth forwards drove their opposite numbers and were rewarded with a penalty. Sutherland drove the visitors back further, finding touch to his right inside the Bournemouth 10m. It was untidy at the throw-in, but Hutchison did the necessary housework and kicked clear. His admirable efforts were rather spoilt by a Bournemouth player being in front of the kicker resulting in a penalty for Brixham. Too quick by half these youngsters. The trouble is with these things, it gives the likes of Pinkus the chance to have a crack at goal. The fly-half duly did what was required of him from the Bournemouth 10m and Brixham were back in the lead at 24-23, 27 minutes into the half. After the restart, Brixham had a line-out on their right on the Bournemouth 10m. Manning nicked the throw-in and Bournemouth went right. Newcomer right-wing Dan Boer had a promising run down the right and when the ball came back inside, Sutherland grubber-kicked the ball through. This was kicked back and Meaden, covering back, could only manage to let an awkward bouncing ball bounce off his legs into touch to his right for a Brixham throw-in on the Bournemouth 10m. Going right, Brixham kicked but knocked the ball on in trying to retrieve it for a Bournemouth scrum outside their own 22m. Attacking down the middle, Bournemouth were penalised inside their own 10m. Pinkus’s attempt at a dropped goal was only just short and Sutherland was able to clear right. Not finding touch, Brixham kicked back and two Bournemouth players going for the ball managed to knock the ball on between them for Brixham to have an attacking scrum inside the Bournemouth 22m. Going left, Brixham kicked and fielded by Sutherland. The full-back’s clearance kick was returned when Brixham attempted a drop goal but was off target. When Bournemouth countered, they were caught offside at the breakdown and Pinkus, from the halfway line, extended his side ‘s lead by three points for them to lead 27-23 right at the end of normal time. More injury-time dramas? You can be sure. Bournemouth came back strongly from this latest setback with Meaden making a delightful break into the Brixham 22m. Close to the line left of the posts, Brixham were penalised. Taking the scrum as the option, Bournemouth pushed hard, and referee Lowis reset the scrum. Again, proving too strong, Bournemouth won the ball going left and Tom Napier, having been at the front of the scrum, came from nowhere, or so it seems to your correspondent, at pace, took the pass and was over much to the obvious delight of his fellow players and Bournemouth had snatched a last-gasp win for the second successive week with the bonus of the score being the bonus-point try. Sutherland kicked the goal from wide of the left-hand post to make the score a more respectable 30-27 and referee Lowis blew for ‘no time’ as the ball sailed between the uprights.

In the end a win but I’m sure the coaches will have their own view on certain aspects of the play and will be working on them on the training park. Nonetheless, one must consider, compared to last week, there were four changes in the backs each of whom was making his first start in the League. In addition, the forwards weren’t unscathed, both locks were different from last week and there were two positional changes. The 1st XV also ‘nicked’ a couple of players from the original line-up of the twos but that didn’t stop them having a resounding win 38-7 over Swans firsts at Bestwall. So, all in all, a satisfactory weekend and an illustration of how well our valued newcomers are fitting in and contributing to the Bournemouth cause. Enjoy yourselves lads.

Record against Brixham in the League.

Overall: P13, W9, D2, L2. For 363, Ag 266.

Home: P7, W6, D1, L0. For 222, Ag 86.

Away: P6, W3, D1, L2. For 141, Ag 180.

Next week we are away to Camborne, KO 2.30pm. Please note not 3pm as you might have seen elsewhere and was assumed by your programme editor.

Doug Warren

There are inevitable changes from season to season but with the unprecedented voiding of a whole season has exacerbated the change as perhaps indicated by the fact eight players were making their debut. In addition, notable absentees stalwarts Scott Chislett and Sam Hardcastle have also decided to hang up their boots, rather wistfully if Sam’s reaction on Saturday was anything to go by.

The weather was overcast but bright and warm with little if any detectable breeze from the East. Hardly a beast. Underfoot the pitch was very dry and firm as might be expected from the prevailing meteorological conditions in this early September.

Bournemouth (full-back Alex Sutherland) kicked off from left to right as viewed from the stand and to his left.

With Bournemouth pressing they were almost immediately penalised enabling Weston to clear left. Pressing their advantage they worked the ball back right and scored wide out on the right. IS centre James MacKay pulled his effort across the face of the goal but his side led 5-0 after just five minutes. Full-back Sutherland fielded the restart return and went right but a loose pass back inside saw Bournemouth scrambling to recover. IS centre Adam Higgins made a dent in the opposition defence coming back right but his pass right didn’t go to hand, to the obvious disappointment of the home crowd, and it was a Weston line-out instead. Attacking right, the Weston threat was broken up and left wing Ollie Grainger-Williams had the ball. He broke out and outsprinted the Weston defence to score on his debut halfway out on the left. Scrum-half Grant Hancox kicked the goal to complete the timely Bournemouth riposte for the home side to lead 7-5 after nine minutes. Bournemouth put themselves under pressure by knocking the ball on at the restart and found themselves defending a scrum on their own 10m. Hancox did well to snaffle the ball at the back of the Weston scrum as their forwards struggled to contain the home side’s shove and the scrum-half went right. Weston were promptly penalised in their attempts to close off the break. Hancox hardly interrupted his run by taking a quick penalty but a mishandling error gave Weston the put-in at a scrum. However, they were penalised for some misdemeanour in the scrum giving Sutherland the opportunity to find touch to his right just some eight metres out from the Weston line. Prop Luca Firetto showed some considerable athleticism at the back of the line-out to secure the ball and went left. Retaining possession Bournemouth worked the ball further left and Matt Warwick was somewhere there in the mix as he and his fellow forwards drove over the line for the lock to score for the first time since the 2014/5 season. Clearly a rare occurrence but a gem nonetheless. Hancox couldn’t apply the polish to make that rare gem sparkle as he pulled his effort at goal from close to that left-hand touch line across the face of the goal to leave the score at 12-5 just on the quarter-of-an-hour. No 8 Joe Desmond fielded the restart but Weston managed to turn the ball over and went right. Bournemouth managed to prevent any progress being made and referee James Dowds decided not enough advantage had been gained pulling play back to an earlier Bournemouth high tackle. From some 30 metres out, and more or less in front of the posts, MacKay kicked his first goal of the afternoon to reduce the arrears to just four at 8-12 after 20 minutes play. Bournemouth knocked the ball on at the restart but recovered the ball at the Weston scrum and took play to the Weston 22m where the visitors were penalised. Hancox, assuredly, kicked the goal and Bournemouth had quickly nullified that earlier Weston gain at 15-8. Bournemouth came straight back from the restart when the lively Hancox kicked and regathered going right. He manged to put right wing Ryan Morrell away but he stumbled when half-tackled but managed to regain his feet and crash over the line for his debut score. Hancox kicked the goal from some ten or 15 metres in from the line and Bournemouth had gained a two-score advantage at 22-8 after some 22 minutes play. Weston soon struck back and Bournemouth were penalised for being offside at the breakdown on their own 10m line. MacKay’s kick at goal struck the left-hand upright and bounced clear to be recovered by Sunderland. His kick didn’t gain as much ground as, I’m sure, the full-back would have liked as he sliced the ball into the right-hand touch on the Bournemouth 22m but it was safe. However, Bournemouth recovered the situation when Weston were penalised for ‘holding on’. Sutherland did better this time kicking right and finding touch inside the Weston 10m. Bournemouth then messed that up by first not throwing the ball in straight and secondly getting penalised at the resulting scrum. Not a good result. That gave Weston the opportunity to strike back with a strong running attack right before coming back left. A miss pass put the Bournemouth defence under pressure but a determined tackle put the ball carrier into touch rather unceremoniously much to the obvious relief of the home supporters. The move illustrated that Weston remained a potent force and they were far from being out of this game. The point was reinforced when Bournemouth were penalised at the line-out and Weston had an attacking line-out just 5 metres out from the Bournemouth try line. Danger threatened. Nonetheless, Bournemouth defensive pressure forced the error and Bournemouth had a scrum 10 metres out from their own line. To make things even better they ‘won’ a penalty enabling Sunderland to kick right for a line-out beyond the Bournemouth 22m. Joe Rees wasn’t able to gather the throw-in cleanly and Weston had a scrum. Bournemouth scrummaging pressure forced a reset but the second time the Weston No 8 Tom Sugg broke off the back and made a few too many yards before a Bournemouth knock-on saw a Weston put in on the Bournemouth 22m. This time the Weston scrummaging was secure and they went right where Bournemouth were penalised for not releasing. MacKay from some 23 metres out and in front of the posts kicked his second goal to leave the score at 22-11 with a couple minutes left of ‘proper’ time. Sunderland’s restart return was fielded by fly-half ben Meaden but his overly ambitious kick went straight out. However, Warwick retrieved the situation by securing the Weston throw-in and Weston were penalised in their attempt to retrieve that situation. Sunderland enabled Bournemouth to maintain the pressure by finding touch to his right on the Weston 22m. Bournemouth drove off the line-out and releasing left Higgins made a half-break in conjunction with Meaden but the former was hurt in the contact to be replaced by Alex Peel. Weston were penalised in their efforts to stem the Bournemouth tide and Sunderland pressed them even further back when he found touch to his left on the Weston 5m. The throw to the font was gathered and Bournemouth drove for the line but stoutly resisted by Weston although flanker Sam Fisher was ‘yellow carded’ for his part in the defence. Weston ‘nicked’ the Bournemouth throw-in and promptly kicked the ball off to end the half after six minutes of extra time.

Weston attacked strongly right from the kick off with a strong three-quarter movements left and right which was to be a feature of their ambitions in the second half with a series of attacks by their strong running backs particularly down the left flank which Bournemouth, with a scrambled defence, did well to keep out. The result was the defences effectively nullified their opponents and it was scoreless until the end of normal time when Hancox kicked a penalty from the Weston 22m to make the score 25-11. Then three minutes later, when the option might have been to go for a bonus point try, the scrum-half kicked another goal from the Weston 10m line to make the score 28-11. However, there seemed to be oodles of time. An injury to Sutherland needed attention and a Bournemouth scrum restarted the match. Going left, the threes made a great break with good support to see outside centre Ash Taylor score his debut try wide out on the left. Hancox was able to polish this gem to make the score 35-11 and referee Dowds saw fit to blow the final whistle as the ball sailed between the uprights to end the match and, in the end, to seal a satisfactory afternoon out for the Bournemouth players.

Good to get back into action and get some idea how we might fare over the coming season. Weston are always a challenge and at times Bournemouth were stretched to face that challenge, doing well to keep them out for that second half and not let them cross their line again after that score in the first five minutes. Making his debut, Ben Kimber impressed and thoroughly deserved his Man of the Match award. I’m sure there will be more.

Next week we entertain Brixham, KO 3pm. See you there. How can you possibly stay away?

Doug Warren

The game was played on the 3rd XV pitch as the 1st team pitch was unplayable due to heavy overnight rain. The weather was overcast but with a cold Westerly wind that blew straight down the pitch. Underfoot it was dry enough in contrast to the problems on the main pitch. Bournemouth kicked off from the Western end, i.e. with the breeze.

A quite dramatic match and the catalyst, a red card. Lock Kenneally was red carded for a dangerous tackle on the half-hour. 10-nil down and this thunderbolt. Game over? In arguably the best performance by a Bournemouth team this season, I can’t realistically say ever can I and I can’t describe them as a fifteen either, gathered themselves together and with a ‘never say die’ attitude took the game to the visitors and almost, almost prevailed. Earlier despite Bournemouth pressure the Barnes defence refused to yield. Then, and how many times have we seen this this season, the opposition ‘turned the ball’ over when we were ‘camped’ on their line and moments later scored at the other. 7-nil down after less than ten minutes. Extremely disappointing. A quarter of an hour later after a similar pattern of Bournemouth pressure, Barnes got themselves deep in the Bournemouth half. Were awarded a penalty and full-back Joshua Hammett increased the lead by three with a well-struck kick. Four minutes later and the aforesaid calamity happened. Bournemouth saw the out the rest of the half as if nothing had happened. The scrum stood up very well and even pushed the opposition back which was very encouraging if a little surprising to us mere mortals on the touchline and Bournemouth maintained their earlier pressure.

Bournemouth came out ‘fighting’, in a metaphorical sense I quickly add, for the second half and were rewarded with typical piece of Michael Pope ‘magic’, who danced his way through the defence from inside the 22m to score right of the posts. Hancox did his ‘bit’ and Bournemouth were right back in it just five or so minutes into the new half at 7-10. Extraordinary. Even more extra ordinary perhaps was Bournemouth were straight back on the attack down the left. In his efforts to stem the tide, the Barnes lock Jamie Collins was asked by referee Alan Chandrachudaj to reflect on his misdemeanour for ten minutes. From the resulting penalty inside the Barnes 22m, Bournemouth took full advantage of his absence when full-back Sutherland forced his way over and Bournemouth were in the lead at 12-10. Kicker Hancox turned away almost immediately after kicking the ball certain the ball was on target and sure enough up went the flags and he had increased his side’s advantage to four points at 14-10 just ten minutes into the half. Despite being a man down they continued to take the game to the visitors. Youngster Josh Pidgley typified the team’s determination with a thunderous tackle that maintained the pressure. However, with just over ten minutes to go, all this effort came to naught when Barnes broke down the right and hooker Cameron Ruddock scored in the corner. Hammett failed to convert the score but his side had a vital one-point lead at 15-14. Strive as they might, the 14 players simply couldn’t break the Barnes defence down again. The Barnes mantra was ‘no penalties’ because they already had evidence of Hancox’s kicking potency and sure enough our star kicker didn’t get the opportunity to ‘nick’ the game and Bournemouth had to settle for just a losing bonus point but it could have been so much better.

How one could choose a Bournemouth Man of the Match out of that team performance I am not certain but nonetheless there can’t be any objection to prop Luca Firetto being the chosen one. A heart-warming performance by the lads of which we all can be proud.

Next week nominally we are away to Leicester Lions. They are currently lying 6th and, in our very first encounter against them back in November at Chapel Gate, we lost 16-17 to a ‘last minute’ penalty. KO is 3pm. But it might not happen. Check.

The weather was overcast with a pretty chilly wind coming out of the south-west and blowing straight down the pitch, left to right as viewed from the stand. Underfoot, the pitch was surprisingly, at least to your correspondent, dry despite all these ‘rivers of rain’, that have been sweeping across the country and looked in pretty good nick – good drainage obviously. S&E kicked off from left to right as viewed from the stand, i.e. with the aforesaid wind.

Bournemouth go off to a poor start conceding two scores and ‘losing’ two players, fly-half Mike Pope after just three minutes and full-back Alex Sutherland nine minutes later to find themselves 14-nil down after just twelve minutes play against a side that played with much verve and energy that Bournemouth struggled to contain. Those early injuries and consequent shuffling didn’t help but it wasn’t just that. The first score was enough to get the alarm bells ringing and showed what an attacking force S&E were when a clearance kick was ‘run’ back’ through a disorganised defence by winger Ghumra who scored under the posts. Outside centre Bourton had no difficulty in converting to get his side off to a flying 7-nil start. Meanwhile we lost Popey with a ‘hammy’ with Carlos Snell joining a reshuffled backline. Despite some good Bournemouth defence for a period, centre Jamie See weaved his way to score and when Bourton kicked the goal S&E were leading 14-nil after just ten minutes. To add to Bournemouth’s woes, Sutherland, in the acting of kicking off, twisted his ankle and fell down in some pain. Johnson came on to replace him but again the backs were reshuffled with Kingswell going to full-back. Bournemouth soon found themselves going further behind when in a drive off a line-out in their own 22m, S&E turned the ball over and attacked right. The Bournemouth defence was penalised and Bourton found touch to his right just 10m out from the Bournemouth. Yes you can guess, a drive off the line-out by the S&E forwards had a certain inevitability about it and sure enough flanker Moore-Aiono had the try. Bourton kicked the goal and S&E lead 21-nil with just a quarter of the game gone. Not good. S&E might have done better at the restart but dropped the ball as they went right. Bournemouth, however, contrived to knock the ball on at the resultant scrum for an S&E put in. They then managed to pass the ball into touch as they went down the short side and Bournemouth were relieved to have the throw-in at a line-out on the half-way line. In the second quarter, Bournemouth began to get some moves together they were some alarums nonetheless and a last-ditch defence was necessary to prevent S&E getting in at the righthand corner. Hardcastle had a dart, Manning kept the moving going with a typical ‘charge’ supported by new boy Sasu. However, when the ball went wide the final pass, made under immense S&E defensive pressure, couldn’t be taken by Snell with the line at his mercy and the chance went abegging. Nonetheless this was better from Bournemouth and there was a feeling a score before half-time would make things a whole lot better. However, right on half time from a scrum on the halfway line, Moore-Aiono broke right down the short side, fed Munford and the scrum-half scampered in and S&E had their bonus point. Bourton failed to kick the goal but S&E took in a handsome 26-nil lead to mull over their half-time oranges.

Now playing with the wind any hopes of a Bournemouth recovery received a bit of a dent almost immediately. Bourton kicked a penalty from in front of the posts and Bournemouth ‘lost’ Sasu to injury in the first few minutes of the second half. In a reworking of the back row, Hughes on for Sasu, went to No 8, Griffiths went to openside in place of Kenneally who replaced lock Knott, Pidgley on as replacement took Sasu’s place at blindside. Got that? That seemed to work. Bournemouth scored two tries through Hughes, who showed real dynamism in his favoured position, and the new lock, Kenneally. Kingswell, pressed into service as kicker in place of the injured Sutherland, kicked one of the goals to pull the score back to 12-29 to end the third quarter. Try as they might with some good possession rugby Bournemouth, couldn’t break down a determined S&E defence and when the visitors made a mistake they punished it. A dropped ball midfield enabled Bourton to break down field and, despite a brave tackle by new full-back Kingswell, the support was there in the form of hooker Farrell for S&E to score their fifth try of the afternoon. Bourton’s conversion was a formality and S&E had stretched their lead to 36-12. Bournemouth again countered some good periods of possession rugby as before but found the S&E defence in an uncompromising mood. However they were able to capitalize on a series of S&E penalties, when, from a line-out some 10m out, the forwards eventually drove over for Manning to score a quite remarkable sixth try of the season, equalling his previous season’s best. Kingswell kicked the goal to reduce the deficit to 19-36 with less than five minutes of the match. The match ended with S&E driving over from a 5m line-out for Moore-Aiono to score his second and as Bourton’s conversion sailed through the posts, referee Iain Kiy blew for no side, leaving S&E emphatic winners at 43-19.

A chastening afternoon in any respects but you can’t fault the commitment and determination of the players with a number of them new to level of rugby. The upshot was, we stay bottom with Sutton & Epsom moving up one place to 14th. For any of the bottom three to survive now relies on results elsewhere. An unlikely situation I am sure you will agree.

Next week we are away to Dings Crusaders (playing at their new ground for the first time), They are currently lying 11th. KO is 3pm. Check before travelling though.

Doug Warren.