14-02-2025
Bournemouth host Petersfield aiming to extend winning run
BOURNEMOUTH host Petersfield as they once again aim to extend their winning run in Regional Two South Central.
The Lions' current run stretches to 14 games, after they beat North Dorset at the start of February.
They beat Petersfield 46-33 back in November away from home, but director of rugby Will Croker said he views Saturday's visitors as one of the best teams in the league.
'I think that they've lost a few games or they've missed out on some results that would have seen them far higher up the table,' Croker said.
'They've got a very experienced squad, Dan Sargent and Liam Perkins and Matt McLean, all very experienced National League rugby players.
'They've got a good crop of youngsters that come in and bolster them.
'We played very well at their place.
'We never really let them into the game and we tried to suffocate their attacking intent and we've got to do something very similar this time.
'That said, we're really confident at home. We're undefeated so far this season at home and we're on a good winning run and there's real confidence amongst the boys.'
The game comes after a fallow week, which Croker said was difficult to get a flow going at this time of year, with another coming the week after the Petersfield match – although that has allowed them to focus on it as almost a one-off game.
But he said he understands the purpose of the gap weekends and said they had used the time well to rest some players and restore them to fitness.
Ben Meaden returns to the Bournemouth side at fly half, replacing Louis Ellis, as they aim to give him some game time in the first team before the run in.
Croker also said Meaden helped to run the game against Petersfield earlier this season and got the Lions attack ticking.
Matt Horne returns at number eight, Joe Rees at open-side flanker and Conrad Carkeet at hooker in the pack, while Jordie Wayman comes into the centres.
'We're feeling pretty confident that we've got a strong side out,' Croker said.
'We've now just got to almost move into cup final mode and we've put ourselves in with a shout now and we've just got to keep doing what we can do.
'Each week we've got to try our hardest to pick up a win and if we can, the bonus point and then we'll have to wait and see what happens to the other results around us. But we feel like we're in a good place.'
Bournemouth's second team face Ellingham and Ringwood as they look to force their way into the top half of the table, with Ellis dropping into that team alongside Carlos Snell and the returning Callum McKenzie.
'We're really looking to try to put together a performance there that can galvanise the side for the rest of the season,' Croker said.
The third team travel to Poole with a strong side, including former first team captain Dan Cawley who returns from a spell out.
