A SWIFT start saw Bournemouth pack a punch and round off the calendar year with a 21-13 victory over Cleve at Chapel Gate.

Lions roared into an early lead when Scott Chislett made the most of a bright start with the opener, quickly followed by Alex Sutherland’s conversion.

Cleve hit back with a penalty but the home side’s advantage was soon stretched to double figures when Chislett bagged his second with more backing from the boot of Sutherland.

And the visitors barely had chance to catch their breath when Alex Everett-Bolter, starting in place of the unavailable Grant Hancox, ran in number three with Sutherland completing his hat-trick of successful kicks.

Bournemouth’s cause was hampered by injuries to Matt Warwick and Sutherland either side of half-time and two Cleve tries within 16 minutes of the restart saw the momentum change.

Wyn Roberts spent 10 minutes in the sin bin but Lions ultimately held firm to secure a third straight victory in National Three South West and a fifth in a row on home soil.

The only down side for Will Croker’s men was not mustering a bonus point. Bournemouth sit sixth in the table but only 11 points off leaders Barnstaple.