WILL Croker hailed “incredible” Grant Hancox after the goal kicker’s flawless display spurred Bournemouth to victory over Ivybridge on Saturday.

The Lions hadn’t tasted success in any of their three previous meetings with the Devon team and lost this season’s away fixture by a 25-point margin.

But, despite a performance that Croker considered sub-par, Bournemouth laid that particular ghost to rest and, in the process, moved within three points of second spot in National League 3 South West.

Hancox nailed all five of his kicks for goal. His season's conversion rate hovers around the 90% mark.

Those figures are especially remarkable, revealed head coach Croker, given Hancox is a relative novice when it comes to kicking duties.

Croker told the Daily Echo: “Grant was incredible. He didn’t miss a thing and there were some hefty kicks there, from some very wide angles.

“He is a very intelligent rugby player. He came through Hartpury College and was on a junior contract at Gloucester.

“When he turned up here (in 2015) we held a coaching clinic one night. We told the backs to come along for (coach) Jon Sanchez to work with the place kickers.

“Grant had never kicked a rugby ball off the tee, which is ridiculous for a guy who has played rugby since he was six.

“He took two or three steps back, a couple to the right, then he stepped up and leathered it.

“You could see, the way he connected with the ball, it was pure, natural talent.”

Hancox registered his first points against Ivybridge when he converted Robbie Boyd’s score, which had wiped out Lions' early three-point deficit.

Sam Hardcastle, making his 290th career start, went over to stretch his team’s lead, with Hancox again adding the extras.

Dogged Ivybridge had reduced their arrears to 17-16 by the break, however, courtesy of a converted try and a drop goal.

Bournemouth’s nerves were settled when they were awarded a penalty try after a maul collapsed, with visiting lock James Sloan being dismissed for the infringement.

Hancox converted and then did likewise after Alex Everett-Bolter had scampered in for Lions’ fourth score.

Ivybridge responded with another converted try of their own – but Croker’s side safely negotiated the closing minutes to seal the win that keeps them right in the mix for the division's promotion play-off spot.

“Sometimes it is about trusting in your game plan and your fitness… trusting the work you’ve done on the training pitch will not crumble when it comes under scrutiny," added Croker, whose side next play at Launceston on March 4.

“The players now trust that we will fight every inch of the way for the victory – and that it will happen.

“It’s something you can’t quantify. It is either in their bellies or it’s not.

“You can tell each other how good you are until you’re blue in the face.

"But unless the players really believe it you’re probably going to be banging your head against a brick wall.”