HEAD coach Will Croker labelled Sam Hardcastle "a phenomenon" after the scrum-half smashed through the 800-point mark in a Bournemouth jersey.

The experienced number nine scored Lions' final try in the 48-7 thrashing of visitors Old Centralians in National Three South West.

And boss Croker was quick to praise the impact of Hardcastle, whose association with the Chapel Gate club spans more than two decades.

Croker told the Daily Echo: "Sam is a phenomenon. He shouldn't be playing at the speed he does in the position he does at 34 years old.

"Right now, his body should be in tatters.

"Maybe his top-end pace has just started to dim a little bit – he made a clean break on Saturday and in years gone by I would have expected him to race away but instead he fed Wyn Roberts who did the racing away for him.

"But even so, he still he managed to get on the scoresheet. After a fantastic line-out and maul, we were crossing the line and Sam pinched the ball and fell over.

"It was typical Sam and another poacher's try for a player who has been an absolute stalwart for the club and probably should have played much higher up the ladder."

Lions seized the initiative early on with a Grant Hancox penalty and Scott Chislett's first try of the season, converted by Hancox, putting the hosts 10-0 in front.

Despite a dislocated shoulder suffered by loosehead prop Steve Osborne and a converted try for the visitors, Lions quickly got back on track.

Hancox burst through a string of tackles to touch down and convert before Roberts's score was followed by a successful kick from Hancox, handing Lions a 24-7 lead at the break.

Bournemouth's dominance continued after the restart with Roberts scooping up a speculative kick to cross over and ensure a bonus point.

Tighthead prop Luca Firetto then became the first Lions forward to score this season when he was driven over, with Hancox converting.

Hardcastle's converted try increased to 41-7 the lead and replacement Alex Everett-Bolter outstripped the defence to score under the posts, before Hancox added the extras.

Croker continued: "I think we set the tone with the way we started. We caught the kick-off and went through more than 20 phases and made 60-odd metres in the process.

"It was a great way to get into the game and play with the sort of belief that we needed to.

"With that amount of pressure and physicality, it was only going to be a matter of time before Old Cents broke."

Lions: Sutherland, Fitch, Hancox, Chandler, Roberts, Chislett, Hardcastle, Osborne, Fraser, Firetto, Christopher, Warwick, Hennings, Allman, Rees. Replacements: Everett-Bolter, Hughes, MacDonald.