HEAD coach Will Croker congratulated Bournemouth's victorious Twickenham quintet before insisting the club had untapped resources to offer the county scene.

Joe Tarrant, Joe Rees, Alex Sutherland and Ben Allman all started Hampshire's 33-11 win over Staffordshire in the County Championship Shield – the latter playing his final game before retirement.

And Luke Chandler also played his part when he came off the bench to feature at the home of English rugby.

Lions boss Croker was thrilled to see his charges earn success on the big stage and said more quality county players could emerge from Chapel Gate.

He told the Daily Echo: "I was delighted for the guys, first and foremost, as they have been some of our most consistent performers this year. They travel huge distances to play rugby which shows an enormous level of commitment.

"I feel the likes of Duncan Soden, Alex Everett-Bolter, Rudi Kochanowski and Loui Giunta, who were all eligible, also would have added something.

"I hope next year they get the opportunity because they are all very talented players who would bring something different.

"I'm not trying to decry what Hampshire have done because I am full of admiration for them. I'm just saying I think Bournemouth could be an even greater contributor next year."

Tottonians fly-half Pierre-Alex Clark gave Hampshire the lead against the run of play at Twickenham with a superb interception try.

The lead was extended when skipper Wes Dugan cut through the middle and released brother Wayne Dugan who powered through to score. Sutherland added the extras to give Hampshire a 12-0 lead at half-time.

After the restart, Staffordshire reduced to one point the advantage with a well-worked try and a couple of penalties.

However, scrum-half Wes Dugan broke through a tackle and drove over, with Sutherland slotting a regulation conversion.

Joel Knight scored a fourth try for Hampshire and in injury-time ex-Lions man Gavin Hart bulldozed across the whitewash, with Sutherland converting.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth have organised two pre-season fixtures.

Lions will entertain Brighton on Saturday, August 6 before taking on Bishops's Stortford under lights on Friday, August 12.

An inter-club game is planned for Thursday, August 18.