BOURNEMOUTH’S difficult start to the campaign continued after it emerged that back-rower John Peart could be out for the rest of the season.

Peart suffered a knee injury in training and did not feature in either the 46-13 defeat at Oxford Harlequins or the subsequent 41-8 home loss to Redingensians.

Lions' forward will require surgery on the problem and it is feared he will not be fit before the end of 2014-15.

The news comes at a bad time for Crispin Cormack’s men, who are at the foot of the embryonic National Three South West standings and travel to Exmouth on Saturday (3pm).

By contrast, Exmouth are riding high in second place following victories over Weston-super-Mare and Barnstaple.

Lions: (from) Morgan, Palmer, Roberts, Terry, Sutherland, Hatch, Dennett, Hardcastle, Manning, Firetto, Warwick, Scott, Bovett, Rees, Hennings, Graesser, Sanchez, Spikings.

  • In Southern Counties South, Swanage & Wareham will aim for back-to-back wins when they travel to Somerset to take on Frome.

Wimborne, who tasted opening-day success in the same division, make the trip to Bradford on Avon.

In Dorset & Wilts One South, Dorset Dockers host Westbury while Oakmeadians entertain Lytchett Minster and Blandford journey to Sherborne IIs.

Ellingham & Ringwood, who were 32-18 winners over Sandown & Shanklin last weekend, make the short trip to New Milton in London Three South West.