BOURNEMOUTH head coach Will Croker is expecting two tribes to go to war when Exmouth visit Chapel Gate on Saturday.
The two sides are more than familiar with one another having met each other last November and in the division above in the last few seasons.
Having opened up a 20-lead over second placed Barnstaple following their 33-18 bonus-point win at Exeter University last Saturday, Croker is not expecting anything to be just handed to them.
Croker said: “Exmouth are a club that Bournemouth have played on many occasions and very rarely do we have anything other than a real battle.
“In National Two South just two seasons ago, the club are now coached by Steve 'Pez' Perry - who most recently oversaw Barnstaple’s rise to National Two South and who now in his current role oversaw the beating of his old club by his new one last Saturday - allowing us to open up a 20-point gap at the top of the table.
“Therefore, we know that nothing is a given this week.
“They have a big strong pack with some terrific hard-line ball carriers who get them across the gain line.
“We will need to be ready for the physical battle and to win the collision.”
Last week at Exeter, versatile fly-half Mike Pope played a crucial part in their win at his old University.
Croker said he showed the skills which he learned playing at a higher level for the likes of Exeter Chiefs and Cornish Pirates.
Therefore, the Bournemouth boss says the club is lucky to have the likes of him - and many others - who have played in the divisions above.
Croker added: “With him, Karim Lynch, Joe Tarrant, Adam Higgins and earlier in the season Hamish Renwick, we were fortunate enough to have lots of National League experience. But Popey played in the Championship for six years.
“He didn't get maybe the game time that he wanted, but he was like a sponge absorbing the information and being able to perform week in week out.
“For us he has been so versatile - he’s played nine,10 and 11 and has made some telling contributions.
“Barnstaple at home and Exeter University last week being ones that stand out, because when he releases the shackles and just plays he terrifies defences.”