A SECOND-half onslaught condemned Bournemouth to a 29-9 defeat at the hands of hosts Barnstaple in National Three South West.

Lions were just three points adrift at the break but failed to get on the scoreboard after the restart and the Devon side powered away.

Bournemouth, who have won just one of their past five games, dropped to 11th as a result of the loss.

Jon Sanchez kicked the visitors in front early on but a matter of minutes later, Barnstaple grabbed their first try.

The visitors’ Joe Gwyther failed to find touch from inside his own 22 and the home backs replied swiftly, with right-wing Luke Berry eventually going over in the corner. Jordan Petheridge missed the conversion.

Another swing of the boot from Sanchez put Bournemouth back in front after referee Ben Chadwick penalised the hosts for handling on the ground.

But with 20 minutes gone, Barnstaple once more seized control. Full-back Will Topps found touch just outside the five-metre line and from the resulting line-out, number eight Chris Lowrie worked his way over.

A successful Petheridge kick took to 12-6 the Barnstaple advantage.

Sanchez missed a subsequent penalty but made no mistake just before the break after the home side were penalised for offside.

Barnstaple put their foot on the pedal following the resumption. Alex Ashburner was binned for interfering with the jumper at a line-out and it was not long after that openside flanker Winstone James barged over, with Luke Perry adding an excellent goal.

A Steve Perry drop-goal extended to 13 points the Barnstaple lead and with five minutes remaining, the hosts scored a fourth try.

Entre Luke Perry chipped and regathered and touched down under the posts, before Topps kicked the conversion.