Selection key for Lions chief Dunn (From Bournemouth Echo)

Selection key for Lions chief Dunn

7:00am Friday 26th February 2010 in

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DAVID Dunn believes the key to Bournemouth’s sparkling post-Christmas form is that they have been able to field a “settled side” since the festive break.

Lions capped an impressive turn-of-the-year run of five wins in six league and cup games with a crushing 71-0 home mauling of Maidenhead last weekend.

Bournemouth boss Dunn takes his charges to lowly Reading tomorrow (2.30pm) aiming to grab another maximum five-point haul from the National Three South West tussle.

That could lift the Dorset side even closer to a cherished third-place spot, which would match their achievement of finishing third in the division’s predecessor, South West One, last season.

Dunn, whose fifth-placed outfit beat Reading 37-8 at home in September, said: “We have a settled side and that’s what has contributed to our run of wins.

“We are picking up those wins, which makes a big difference to us.

“Last week’s performance was outstanding but the challenge now is to perform at Reading and that’s always difficult to do on the road at this level.

“We’re aiming to take five points by winning and getting a bonus for scoring four tries.”

Tim Collier returns to the second row in place of unavailable Tim Seward tomorrow.

Bournemouth: (from) K Lynch, Hearson, Payne, Edwards, Pope, Dunkerley, Ngapaku, Chislett, Burns, Wareham, Wilford, Manning, Brooks, Collier, Ford, Crombie, R Lynch, Hughes.

• Oakmeadians face a crucial relegation four-pointer when they host fellow South West One East strugglers Trowbridge, but Swanage & Wareham are without a game.

• North Dorset travel to Tadley in Southern Counties South, but Wimborne are without a game.

North Dorset’s 2nd XV captain Stewart Hayter is included in their senior side.

Sam Keirle is set to make a rare appearance, while Lewis Munster debuts on the wing.

North Dorset: East, Westcar, Spicer, Keirle, Munster, Keates, Sampson, Dimmack, Dyer, Stickland, Topping, Gillett, Soskin, Hayter, C Tuffin. Subs: Mackay, Barron, Dymond-Andrews.

• Bournemouth meet Oakmeadians in the Dorset & Wilts 2nd XV Cup final at Wimborne.