BOURNEMOUTH coach David Dunn believes "confidence and self belief" was the key to them breaking their South West Division One duck with a 31-17 home triumph over Reading.

Not even the 70th-minute dismissal of captain Dan Cawley for two yellow card offences could take the gloss off Lions' first victory of the season.

The win, courtesy of tries from Cawley (two), Sam Hardcastle, Chris Hughes and Chris Ulu, lifted them off the bottom of the table.

Tim Gray slotted over three conversions as Bournemouth rushed into an early 17-0 lead they never looked like relinquishing.

Dunn, whose side had lost their previous seven league matches, said: "The players had real belief in themselves and went out and got a good start.

"We scored three sparkling tries and that gave everyone a lift.

"It wasn't a perfect performance. We lost our way a bit in the second half. It was seven all in that period.

"But by that time we already had the points on the board and weren't playing catch up.

"Reading went below us in the league and they are a good side.

"They have a strong set of forwards but they couldn't cope with the pressure we put them under."

Dunn added: "Getting that first victory was absolutely crucial.

"Now we have done it and the manner we have done it gives us a big boast of confidence going into Saturday's game at St Ives."

Cawley was shown his first yellow for an alleged dangerous tackle and the second, which led to a red, for alleged tripping, both incidents occurring inside a six-minute spell.

Dunn said: "Dan was very unfortunate to be yellow carded the first time, and more unfortunate with the second one.

"I believe that both yellow cards were harsh.

"We won't suspend anyone for two yellows until we have seen the ref's report and the DVD."

Lions: Davies, Dunkerley, Gray, Frost (Edwards 77), Flynn, Chislett, Hardcastle, Siaki (Wareham 60), Ulu, Manning, Kenny, Seward, Cawley, Crombie (Richards 75), Hughes.