DAVID Dunn hailed quiet man Alan Manning as Lions continued their impressive start to the campaign by thumping Barnstaple 28-3.

The National Three South West leaders have racked up maximum points from their opening four games as they seek to go one better following last season’s play-off heartache.

And Dunn was quick to lavish praise on front row forward Manning, who made his 42nd consecutive appearance as captain in Devon – a club record.

Dunn told the Echo: “It was our biggest test of the season and Barnstaple is not an easy place to go. In many respects, we were guilty of showing them too much respect early on.

“We had several chances that we didn’t take and it was a nervous start, but Alan Manning led from the front and had a fantastic game. He got us going almost single-handedly.

“Once we settled down and started scoring some points, the gulf between the two teams was fairly evident.”

Dunn added: “Alan’s passion for this campaign is second to none. The way he talks to the players as captain is incredible.

“He has grown into the role as captain and he has the respect of the players. He never misses training and, touch wood, never misses a game. But he also performs consistently week-in, week-out, is our main ball carrier and frequently dominates his opposite number in the scrum.

“He has such a big heart that all the players follow him.”

Tries from Tim Wareham, Robbie Searle, Rob Bruce and Dan Mallard, coupled with one conversion and two penalties from Dan Pollard, saw Lions comfortably home.

The result took the Chapel Gate outfit beyond 200 points after just four matches, with the milestone during last season’s play-off campaign coming after nine.

Dunn added: “We have maximum points but it will be a tricky one on Saturday against Old Redcliffians and we’re not really sure what to expect from them. We hope to be stronger on Saturday as we had three players missing against Barnstaple. Old Redcliffians have one or two former professionals from Bristol in their ranks and I think they are strong at eight, nine and 10.”

Lions: Searle, Stewart (Notobartolo, 68), Connolly, Bruce, Mallard, Pollard, Hardcastle, Wareham, Wilford (Tarrant, 60), Manning, Seward, Forrest, Hennings, Crombie (Horne, 53), Hart.