ANNOYED David Dunn admitted Lions had been left feeling “short changed” following their defeat to Redruth in a controversial abandoned clash.

Bournemouth suffered a 24-3 loss on Saturday with the National Two South match lasting long enough for the result to stand – despite weather forcing a premature halt.

Heavy rain at Chapel Gate caused difficult playing conditions which led to referee Veryan Boscawen calling time on the game in the second half.

But while the visitors backed the decision, Dunn criticised the timing as it came shortly after Redruth had racked up a bonus-point try.

The Lions director of rugby told the Daily Echo: “It was an absolute farce, to be honest.

“The referee abandoned the match after 62 minutes. They scored a bonus-point try on 60 minutes. The assistant referee then put up his flag to draw attention to something, but they decided to abandon the game.

“We played 40 minutes into the wind and rain. The whole 20 minutes of the second half was played on their line and we were looking really strong.

“If the referee was worried about player safety, he could have abandoned it before 60 minutes.

“I am not taking anything away from Redruth. Everyone just felt a bit short changed.”

But Redruth general manager Andy Gallie defended the referee’s decision on the grounds of player safety.

He said: “From a safety aspect, we felt it was the right call but we would have carried on if that had been the referee’s call.”

High-flying Redruth were way ahead by the time of the abandonment thanks to a double from Tom Notman and further tries from Craig Bonds and Frazer Kellythorn. The result kept Redruth firmly in title contention and left Lions with just six victories from 16 matches this term.

Dunn added: “We were disappointed.

“They played very well and scored two very good tries.

“Then they scored a very lucky try after a speculative kick that fell for the winger before they got a break-away try.

“We were banging at their line for 20 minutes in the second half but they were very solid.”

Lions: Pollard, Stewart, Connolly, Pearce, Edwards, Drake, Hardcastle; Carrel, Wilford, Manning, Brooks, Forrest, Hart, Grace, Booth. Subs: Spikings, Firetto, Seward, Chislett, Stevenson.