BOURNEMOUTH head coach Will Croker urged his players to earn silverware to mark the club’s 125th anniversary.

Lions have the chance to land the Hampshire Cup when they make the trip to London One South Havant in Saturday's final (1pm).

The Chapel Gate outfit returned to feature in the competition this season for the first time in 43 years.

Lions last entered the Hampshire Cup during the 1974-75 campaign and were beaten by Havant in the final.

Having overcome Tottonians 58-25 in round one and received a walkover against Winchester, the club’s director of rugby is eager to secure a trophy as a reward for their stalwart supporters.

He told the Daily Echo: “For us to be in a promotion push and a cup final is wonderful and it’s our gift to all the committee members, supporters and volunteers who help us.

“It would be great if we could get to our gala dinner at the end of the season and on the top table there is the Hampshire Cup to show for the work everybody has put in.

“It’s not just about the 15 or 20 guys who play on Saturdays, it’s about the whole club and us all having something to enjoy and celebrate.

“It is a big season for the club and you want to be competing on all levels. It was part of our reason for speaking to Hampshire and saying we would like to play in it.”

While promotion from South West Premier remains Bournemouth’s priority, Croker admitted he faced a balancing act between selecting a strong side and resting key names.

“We have to pick and choose a bit,” he said.

“We have a couple of guys whose bodies are in such bad shape it would be almost cruelty to ask them to go and play a cup final and then go away to Brixham the following week.

“Even with them resting we will still probably be sending out 10 regular first-teamers.”

Scott Chislett, Joe Rees and Richard Sharp are expected to be left out. Luca Firetto, Wyn Roberts, Dan Stewart are unavailable.

Havant, who have won the cup 18 times, are third in their division and have won eight of their past nine games.

Croker added: “They have been chasing CS Rugby and Medway very hard for their play-off spot and we know it is going to be a tough battle.

“We played them in a pre-season game in August and they have some talented boys.

“Because a number of our guys play for Hampshire, we know a large majority of their team and what they offer.

“The fact it is being played at Havant is a bit of a kick because, ultimately, you don’t want to play a home team in a cup final. But they designate the grounds right from the get-go and we knew that was the case when we entered the competition.”