BOURNEMOUTH extended their winning run to five with a strong victory on the road at Petersfield.

A flying first half performance saw the Lions race into a 36-12 point lead at the break, and added to their lead in the second period, to run out 46-33 winners.

Director of rugby, Will Croker, said he was pleased with the ‘fantastic’ first half showing.

“They came out with a level of intensity and accuracy that we haven't experienced for that concerted amount of time,” Croker said.

“So far this season we've done it in sort of 10- or 15-minute bursts but this was a whole half.

“The major factor was the speed of recycle ball and the way that our backs were able to pick holes in their midfield.

“A very clever display of passing from Ben Meaden and Grant Hancox allowed Jordy Wayman to seemingly make numerous line breaks and we were able to put a margin between us and them.”

Croker said the game began in a yo-yo fashion, as the sides exchanged tries, with the hosts getting rewards from the driving maul.

“But once we weathered that storm and we were able to put a score between us, we then moved away,” he said. “Second half, we were perhaps guilty of being slightly ill disciplined.

“The referee saw the ruck and the breakdown slightly differently to how he had done previously, I think.

“We conceded 10 penalties in the second half whereas we'd only conceded three in the first and that allowed them field position and I think they'd also been rocked by a bit of a roasting from their coaching staff at half time.”

But Croker said it was overall a ‘terrific day out’ with a number of good performances in the Bournemouth 15, as Jordy Wayman was named man of the match.

“A good try from Maverick Goodchild, another one by Ryan Morrell adding to his season's tally and a solid scrum performance,” Croker said. “So, all in all, really quite pleased.”

The win moves the Lions up to third in the Regional Two South Central table, trailing second placed Farnham by seven points and league leaders Tottonians by ten.

Bournemouth and Winchester are level on points, ahead of Wimborne in fifth, six points back.

Bournemouth’s second side hosted Ellingham and Ringwood at Chapel Gate and were beaten 27-7, which Croker said was disappointing as they felt they had the side to get a result. “It was an unusual game,” Croker said.

“[There were] only three points scored in the second half, when we would have liked to have thought we could capitalise on our superior fitness.

“But still a fighting performance and we're looking forward to getting back to winning ways.”