BOURNEMOUTH boss Will Croker said his side had “wrestled back momentum” from fast-starters Camborne by staging another impressive second-half showing to win 27-26.

The South West Premier leaders found themselves 19-7 behind at the break in front of a Chapel Gate faithful who have not witnessed a home defeat in nearly two years.

Having seven days previously recovered from 15-3 down to win 20-18 at Brixham, Croker asked his troops to go back to basics at half-time against Camborne and Lions secured their 17th win in 18 league fixtures.

He told the Daily Echo: “In the first half we tried to be too expansive and went out the back too often, and when we were inaccurate we were then scragged in defence which made it difficult to get any flow going.

“At half-time we said to the players: ‘let’s get back to challenging the gain line and get our centres across the gain line as quickly as we can and then when the forwards come round the corner, let's take the ball moving at pace rather than being static.’

“We did that and had some great carries from the likes of number eight Joe Rees, blindside flanker Jack Hennings and second row Ben Roberts and that got us across the gain line and put them on the back foot, which allowed us to play.”

In the week, Croker had asked his troops to come out firing against eighth-place Camborne after struggling early on against Brixham.

However, another slow start saw the hosts trail at the break following scores by tighthead prop Jon Drew, blindside flanker Phil Hinchley and speedy wing Dickie Ducker, who has represented Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership Sevens.

But strong words at the interval from Croker and fellow coach Jon Sanchez saw Lions turn the game round thanks to tries from veteran scrum-half Sam Hardcastle and centre Scott Chislett, with Grant Hancox converting both and adding two more penalties to leave the Cornishmen with just two bonus points for their away day troubles.

Croker admitted he had been frustrated not to register a 13th four-try bonus point of the season but consoled himself with an 11-point lead over Barnstaple at the summit.

He said: “I was a bit frustrated we only got the three scores and we probably should have hunted down the bonus point. But they were physical and abrasive and we have to expect that now.

“People want to shoot for us and try to knock us off our perch and we have to expect them to come out fast. The second half was all about momentum and we wrestled that back from them at half-time and did okay.”