DIRECTOR of rugby Budge Pountney insisted he would not walk away from the challenge at Bournemouth - even if the club were to get relegated.

Pountney presided over Lions' ninth straight National Two South defeat yesterday as Chinnor ran out 22-17 winners in a keenly-contested clash.

Ben Stewart's try on the hour, converted by George Drake, had handed the Chapel Gate outfit a slender three-point lead before William Millett's penalty levelled matters with Harry Betts's try nine minutes from time settling the result.

Despite picking up a bonus point with what Pountney described as “some of the best rugby I have seen for a long time”, Lions dropped into the relegation places on the back of their latest reverse.

But the former Scotland captain, who replaced David Dunn over the summer, felt the manner of Bournemouth's performances would aid their recovery in time and that he was in it for the long haul.

Asked whether he had considered his future on the back of Bournemouth's barren run, Pountney told the Daily Echo: “No, we're still relishing the challenge and I would stick with it whatever happens this season.

“I have been fortunate enough to have worked with the likes of Ian McGeechan (former Scotland coach) and Wayne Smith (Northampton) and their mantra was to concentrate on performances and the results will come.

“I'm not saying Bournemouth are going to be relegated but we have to concentrate on developing what we have at the club without panicking about what might happen. A short-term attitude is completely pointless.

“We have a lot of work to do but the fact is the boys are performing really well and you have to play the long game with these things. We will get there and I believe that by concentrating on playing good rugby that results will turn.”