Bournemouth welcome Dings Crusaders to Chapel Gate on Saturday desperate to halt the run of poor form that has seen them fall to the bottom of National Two South.

Lions were soundly beaten last time out away at Barnes, and Head Coach, Jon Sanchez, frustrated last weekend, expects a response from his players on Saturday.

With their home turf a fortress prior to this season, Lions go into Saturday’s match with some hope of picking up points. Bristol-based Dings sit tenth in National Two South with four wins so far this campaign, and in five defeats have shipped plenty of points.

However, Sanchez, and his team are aware that their opponents pose a significant threat with ball in hand. They are well-coached by former Exeter Chiefs, Bath and Bristol back, Luke Arscott, and have scored tries every week, including 26 points against Esher early on.

Bournemouth’s fellow relegation contenders Westcliff, Sutton & Epsom and Barnes all have difficult fixtures against Tonbridge Juddians, Leicester Lions and Taunton Titans respectively. Points on Saturday would likely see Lions close the gap on their near rivals.

Unforced errors have undermined the Dorset side’s chances thus far, with passages of threatening attacking possession punctuated by short lapses of concentration that cost the team dearly. An interception pass, a missed line-out throw: moments that have opened the door for organised and ruthless opposition to charge through.

Following the defeat at Barnes, club President, Doug Warren, had mixed emotions.

“Winning the last fifty minutes of the game by a margin of six points, will that do?” he wrote on the club’s website, before lamenting the fact that they had a mountain to climb at 33-3 down after just twenty five minutes.

Sanchez agrees.

“We played a lot better second half, but that is the story so far this season – not playing for 80 minutes.”