FRAZER Wilford believes Bournemouth have finally proven to their rivals – and themselves – that they can handle the big-match pressure.

The Lions front-row forward claimed opponents had labelled the Chapel Gate outfit ‘chokers’ for their failure to win crucial games.

But Wilford insisted Bournemouth had silenced the doubters by winning last month’s title showdown with Chinnor to close in on promotion glory.

Lions will seal the National Three South West silverware and elevation to the fourth tier of English rugby if they claim a bonus-points victory in Saturday’s home clash with Weston-super-Mare (3pm kick-off).

Wilford told the Daily Echo: “It was nice that we put it back in our own hands to win automatic promotion. We had almost been labelled the chokers.

“We lost to Hertford away last season and also lost at home to Hartpury, and they were big games.

“The other teams had labelled us ‘the chokers’ and it was nice to get rid of that when we beat Chinnor last month.

“It was nice to silence a few people and prove to them – and mainly to ourselves – that we were good enough to do it.”

Lions are huge favourites to get the result they need on Saturday to finish the job following a record-breaking campaign.

A 22-22 draw between closest challengers Redingensians and Chinnor last weekend put Bournemouth closer to the prize – and Wilford is confident nothing will prevent them from claiming it.

Weston-super-Mare are ninth in the table and were thumped 63-3 by Bournemouth when the teams met in December.

Hooker Wilford said: “We are going to be in a bullish mood.

“We are confident – not too confident – but we are in such a mood to finish off in style that I don’t think anything is going to stop us.”

Wilford, who has scored two tries in 22 league appearances this season, hopes the game will attract another bumper crowd to Chapel Gate.

He added: “We had 1,200 people watching against Chinnor and maybe that was the extra motivation we needed to win by the point we did.

“Any support we can get is fantastic. Things are only getting better and better.”