DAVE Huggins reckons the race for promotion in Southern Counties South could come down to points difference.

And the All Blacks captain has called for his charges to "keep their foot on the gas" if they want to keep up with the division's pace-setters.

Wimborne edged out a battling Ivel Barbarians outfit 13-0 at Leigh Park on Saturday and while Huggins was pleased with the clean sheet, he insists more points are needed to be in the promotion shake-up after Christmas.

Huggins, pictured, said: "We finished well and kept a clean sheet, so that was pleasing. We're still trying to find different combinations in the team and playing different players in different positions.

"We're pleased with where we are after three wins, but there is still work to be done.

"We ground out the win again, but sides like Trowbridge and Frome are really putting the points on the board. At the end of the season, it might come down to points difference so we really need to start getting some scores. We really need to keep our foot on the gas."

The All Blacks, resplendent in new shirts for this season, were forced to push hard against a well-drilled Ivel squad.

It took some strong work from prop Russ Tinsdale to finally breach the Barbarians defence, the big tight head crashing over for the first half's only try.

Huggins' side doubled their advantage, however, just after the restart with Marcus Atkins touching down to make it 10-0.

And once fly-half Paul Roberts had smashed over a sublime 35-metre drop goal with 10 minutes remaining, there was no way back for Ivel.

Wimborne: R Lynch, Murphy, Tinsdale, Jordan, Davis, Atkins, Davey, O'Bryan, Llewellyn, Roberts, Huggins, Chapman, Stephens, Hymers, K Lynch. Subs: Lennon (50), Moore (70), Hicks (65).

  • WIMBORNE sisters Poppy and Bryony Cleall have both been selected for the RFUW's Under-18 Talent Development Group.

The pair, who also represent Hampshire and the South, are two of 30 girls selected from across the UK.