WILL Croker believes Bournemouth will be bound for the top four in National Three South West if they replicate their first-half performance against Bromsgrove on a consistent basis.

Lions crossed five times in the first 40 minutes at Chapel Gate, three further tries after the restart ensuring an emphatic 55-29 victory which flattered the beleaguered Boars.

Croker’s side climbed to seventh as a result and take on the side immediately above them – Newton Abbot – in Devon on Saturday.

Reflecting on the home triumph, Croker told the Daily Echo: “In the first half, we replicated the intensity we showed away at Camborne. We brought a really solid defensive platform and that allowed us to play because they were starved of ball.

“Towards the end of the game we got a little bit frantic and lost our game plan and shape a little bit. I’m a bit frustrated because I didn’t think they deserved a bonus point but we’ll take the five points and move on.

“Some of the rugby we played in the first half showed why I keep saying we are one of the better teams and we now have replicate that on the road, which is the sign of a team which is going to finish in the top four spots.”

Bournemouth were 17-0 up with fewer than 11 minutes played, Robbie Boyd getting his first try for the club before Sam Hardcastle breezed down the touchline for the second. Grant Hancox converted both and added a successful penalty in between.

Bromsgrove cut the advantage with a Will Harris kick-and-collect try, alongside five points from the boot of Jon Critchlow.

But Lions loosehead Andy Spikings charged over in the corner and another superb kick from Hancox made it 24-10, with Hardcastle’s barnstorming break also rewarded. Hancox nailed the conversion from the touchline.

Adam Davies, who had replaced Hardcastle immediately after the scrum-half’s second try, swiftly touched down from close range but Bromsgrove made it 36-15 at the break after Adam Whiteman snaffled a loose ball.

The home side looked on course for a huge margin of victory after the restart when two Jack Hennings tries – either side of a Scott Chislett score – took them above the 50-point mark, with Hancox twice converting.

But Bromsgrove took some sheen off the scoreline as Tom Wilson and Charles Baffour went over, the latter winning a foot race to touch down.

Croker added: “I thought Andy Spikings was excellent. He scored a good try and was instrumental in a lot of the good work we did. His hard work and graft really helped build a platform.

“Grant Hancox’s kicking off the tee was spectacular but he also organised the team and had a really good game.

"I have to mention Eddie Edwards, who has come back after a couple of years off, and his energy, enthusiasm and skill have given us another dimension.”