Back rower Ali Bennett says underdogs Bournemouth can cope with the step up to National Two South next season.
The Lions roared to the South West Premier title this year with a stunning 25 wins in their 26 Level Five fixtures.
After falling just short last season following their promotion play-off defeat to Guernsey - who have come straight back down - Bennett says they have the weapons to thrive.
Bennett said: “It is going to be a big step up, and I was pleased with how I coped with National Three because it was always going to be faster and a bit of advice I got from a friend was ‘control the things you can control.’
“One of the things I could control was fitness so I just really, really pushed that in my first year here.
“Then in my second year in pre-season, I really, really worked hard because I cannot guarantee I can be the best at tackling, passing or have the best skill set but I can work harder and be one of the fitter guys.
“People tend to underestimate my size a bit because people ask me how tall I am and I say ‘just over six foot one’ and they say ‘no you’re not.
“Then I will stand up and they say ‘oh maybe you are’ - but I know I’m not the biggest guy or hit the hardest but I will leave that to people like Jack Hennings or Joe Rees.”
The Chapel Gate men have blown away all before them this season with an incredible points difference of 647.
Will Croker’s men fell just one point short of 1,000 after a total of 999 points for the campaign - at an average of 38 points a game.
Bennett says they must not tinker with their style too much after gaining so much success this last campaign.
Bennett added: “I think we will have to improve bits and bobs for next season - like our rolling maul is something which has been very effective - but we will have to shore it up if it’s going to be effective.
“They have just got bigger boys in that division, who are better drilled but we are going to try and play that attractive rugby which has won us this league.
“It would be foolish to try and change because we have got creative players so why would you try and put a dampener on their creativity because we have gone up a level.”