By Adam Hunter

Bournemouth scored their first league points of the season on Saturday, defeating fellow strugglers Westcliff 39-12 at Chapel Gate.

Both clubs had targeted today's showdown as an opportunity for points, each having been promoted into National Two South after a hugely successful 2018-19 season. Neither side had registered a win before the weekend’s clash, a simple reading of which would suggest clubs that is struggling.

But look slightly deeper and it is easy to see that there is something else at play. Lions have faced undefeated and top-of-the-table Tonbridge, as well as going away to Henley and Taunton, second and third respectively. By contrast, Westcliff, with their celebrity coaching team, had played five teams all in the bottom half.

This comes off the back of a well-publicised and stellar 2018-19 season for Bournemouth. It was only a few short months ago that the First XV was named Rugby World Magazine Team of the Year.

The expectant home crowd was given hope after 5 minutes when full-back Grant Hancox kicked a penalty to put his side 3-0 up.

A set move from a line-out sent home favourite Dan Stewart over for the opening try, to the delight of the Bournemouth coaches. The visitors replied with a try of their own just ahead of the break, sending the teams in 13-7.

As play resumed, Lions put together a training ground move from a scrum on 40 metres when scrum-half Hardcastle fed Hancox who passed inside to wing Alex Everett-Bolter for the home side's second try.

Hancox showed his class with a cross-field chip to set up centre Freddie Gleadowe for his third try of the season, swiftly followed by another from veteran Hardcastle, both converted by the trusty Hancox to leave the score 34-7. Bournemouth were out of sight, and the supporters celebrating the side’s first victory in this stint in the National League.

Hancox was sent to the bin moments later for an illegal clear out, and the visitors capitalised to bring the score back to 34-12. But that was as good as it got for the away side as Dan Stewart ran in a fifth for his side who finished 39-12 winners.

Bournemouth lift themselves off the bottom with a much-needed win above their opponents who now lie rock bottom. Westcliff’s search for a first win continues.

Bournemouth Performance Director Richard Sharp: "It was great to see the boys energised and playing well. We talked about it before the game that the crowd would be expectant. Today the team played just like last season."