HEAD coach Paul Dunne believes Bournemouth will emerge stronger from their baptism of fire in National Three South West – despite a third straight defeat.

Rob Avery-Wright’s sextet of penalties helped condemn Lions to a 25-5 reverse at Exmouth on Saturday and left the Chapel Gate outfit at the foot of the embryonic standings.

Bournemouth, relegated alongside Exmouth from National Two South last season, were 9-0 down at the break but grabbed a lifeline when Wyn Roberts scored the game’s opening try.

The conversion was missed and Avery-Wright kept chipping away with the boot before Ollie Rice got over the line for the hosts to put the cap on what turned out to be a comfortable success.

Bournemouth have yet to register a league point but Dunne argued that their rebuilding job had not been aided by an unforgiving trio of opening fixtures and reiterated his confidence that the tide would turn.

Dunne told the Daily Echo: “It has been a tough start to the season but we have played the teams I would expect to finish in the top three.

"Exmouth, Oxford Harlequins and Redingensians have had their squads together for a long time and they should all be there or thereabouts.

“We have had a high turnover of players but there has been a marked improvement in our structure and defensive shape week by week. We are moving in the right direction.

“It will take time but there are some good players at the club and we will continue to build so I’m not too concerned at this stage to be honest.

“We’re one of two teams yet to win and there are another five with only one win so it’s way too early to take any notice of the standings. We won four out of the first six last season which just goes to show how quickly it can all change.

“Our focus is on performing well and if we can do that, the results will follow.”