BOURNEMOUTH travel to Old Tiffians needing ‘one of the performances of the season’ to maintain their spot at the summit of Regional Two South Central.
The Lions are level on points with Winchester in second, with their hosts on Saturday in third, nine points behind.
Old Tiffians have scored the second-most points this term, behind Winchester, but they were beaten by Bournemouth at Chapel Gate earlier this term.
It was a tight first half that saw Bournemouth lead 21-17 at the break, but two scores after the break gave them some breathing space and they went on to win 40-24.
Director of rugby, Will Croker, is expecting a tough challenge.
“They were very good when they came to us,” he said.
(Image: Simon Carlton)
“They play a really exciting brand of rugby. We’ve got a lot of these sorts of old school teams for want of a better phrase.
“They’re kind of an anomaly in the rugby pyramid because you’ll often get guys that should be playing way up the rugby ladder that just want to go and play with their old mates and Tiffs are a little bit like that.
“Their captain, their tight head, their number eight, their outside centre, are all terrific rugby players and I think they’ve scored bonus points in every game they’ve played this season.
“So we’re under no illusion that they’re going to be anything other than a tough ask at their place. We’re not too sure obviously what the weather conditions are going to be like.
“We’ve got to be primed for anything from an arm wrestle in mud to having to try and outscore a team which are the second top point scorers in the league so far this season.
“So it’s a really tough game. It’s probably tougher than even just calling it a banana skin.
“We’ve got to be on our metal and aware that this is going to need to be one of our performances of the season.”
(Image: Simon Carlton)
Bournemouth have sought some consistency in selection after their big win over Twickenham, with James Kennedy returning after a knee injury, while the same backline will start as did last weekend.
Grant Hancox will begin from the bench again after his brilliant return from a long-term injury last weekend, bringing calmness and leadership as the Lions aim to manage his minutes.
This weekend sees all of the top six play sides also in the top six, with Winchester hosting Tottonians and Wimborne facing Petersfield.
But Croker said they will be focused on themselves and aim at earning five points and let results elsewhere work themselves out.
Bournemouth’s Nomads have a tough test against Winchester seconds, in something of a forerunner for when the two clubs’ first teams meet later in the campaign.
“We’re feeling good about that,” Croker said.
“We’ve got some quality coming back. Sam Palmer’s coming back in midfield after a hand injury and we’re looking forward to introducing Lewis Davies, who’s a former Hampshire under 20s hooker that signed for us over the last week or so.
“So he will be a really big addition and going to be a big player for us.”