Virus hits Bournemouth hard in Chinnor defeat (From Bournemouth Echo)

Virus hits Bournemouth hard in Chinnor defeat

7:00am Wednesday 9th January 2013 in Rugby

CAPTAIN Alan Manning admitted Lions had paid the price for illness and a lack of preparation over the festive period.

Bournemouth suffered a 43-22 defeat at National Two South rivals Chinnor as they endured a difficult start to 2013 at Kingsey Road.

Trailing just 15-8 at the interval, Lions were left with no answer as the Oxfordshire outfit cut loose after the break in Saturday’s clash.

Skipper Manning told the Daily Echo: “Over Christmas, a lot of people were ill. We had five or six down with viruses and I think that took its toll.

“It was tough to get back on it over Christmas and it showed that they probably did more training than we did.

“Ben Stevenson and Eddie Edwards had it quite hard and, over Christmas, it was difficult to get everyone together.”

Leo Fielding led the way for Chinnor with two tries, while Frank Jones, Matthew Goode, Tom Mowbray and Adrian Hales also scored for the hosts. Tommy Booth, Sam Hardcastle and Dan Pollard replied for Lions with Pollard also kicking seven points.

The match saw Manning play every position in the front row as he made his 150th league appearance for Lions – and 79th in a row.

Manning added: “The milestones keep coming up and that is at the back of my mind at the moment.

“Last season, it was all fun and games and, this season, it is a grind and you have to put your body on the line.

“We just need to start making those achievements worthwhile.”

Lions: Pollard, O’Brien (Trow, 61), Connolly, Pearce, Chislett, Drake, Hardcastle, Carrel (Firetto, 53), Wilford (Spikings, 70), Manning, Brooks (Seward, 50), Forrest (Peart, 65), Hart, Grace, Booth.