HONEST Will Croker admitted Bournemouth had this season "slightly underperformed" after Lions brought the curtain down on the campaign with a narrow victory over Dings Crusaders.

Lions ended fifth in National Three South West as a result of the 25-23 home triumph, leaving Croker with mixed feelings over his side's finishing position in the wake of changes at Chapel Gate.

The head coach, who presided over his first full campaign, told the Daily Echo: "We should probably be incredibly grateful for what we've achieved this year. We have an entirely new structure at the top of the club, a new coaching team and a new playing team – we have changed so much.

"We have used 45 players which is testament to the strength-in-depth we've got.

"Do I feel we've underperformed slightly? Yes, probably. We lost two games by a point and another four games by less than five points.

"If we had had a bit more resilience or a bit more nous then it could have been a very different season but it is a young squad and they will be much better players for the experience.

"I really do feel we are set up for next year."

An early penalty from outside-centre Grant Hancox put Lions ahead before Dings replied with an unconverted try after seven minutes.

Sammy Veneroso crossed over in the corner before a Dings penalty levelled matters at 8-8.

Bournemouth were set back by a sin-bin for Scott Chislett and the withdrawal of skipper and number-eight Alan Manning due to a dislocated elbow.

But it did not stop the hosts regaining the lead when Wyn Roberts crossed and Hancox, soon to withdraw with a broken ankle, converted.

A Dings penalty meant they were 15-11 down and a converted try put the visitors three points ahead.

But Chris Jeffes's score, converted by Joe Gwyther, saw the pendulum swing again and Gwyther added a further penalty.

Dings crossed the whitewash once more but a missed conversion meant Bournemouth clung on for victory.

Croker added: "The game was a little bit niggly at times and Dings are good at the dark side of the game.

"They weren't afraid to leave a foot in or to clear out with a swinging arm. It's part of the game and we have to be big enough to rise above it and adapt.

"If we want to go up next season, we have to accept there are going to be teams who aren't going to want us to play the sort of rugby we want to.

"The game never really got into its flow which was a bit of a shame but it was another win and we will take it."

Lions: Veneroso, Chandler, Hancox, Chislett, Roberts, Gwyther, Hardcastle, Giunta, Allman, Tarrant, Soden, Levey, Hennings, Rees, Manning. Replacements: Firetto, Flett, Jeffes.