BOURNEMOUTH skipper Chris Park is relishing the prospect of coming up against “close connections” as his team kick off their Southern Premier League home campaign.

Lions, who began their season with a 28-run win at Basingstoke, are on Saturday set to host Lymington at Chapel Gate (12.30pm).

Bournemouth brothers Nick and Chris Park were part of the Dorset side that won the 2010 Minor Counties Championship alongside Matt Metcalfe and Darren Cowley – who are set to line up for Lymington this weekend.

But the Lions skipper’s friendship with the opposition goes much further than the cricket pitch.

Chris Park told the Daily Echo: “Darren Cowley for them – I was best man at Darren’s wedding!

“It will be nice to see old friends and old team-mates really, with the Dorset connection in a competitive game.

“There are really close connections and it will be really nice to play against them. But, at the same time, I am the Bournemouth captain, Matt Metcalfe is the Lymington captain and I am sure we will both be playing the game hard and fair.”

Lymo got their campaign off to a strong start under skipper Metcalfe with a 68-run victory at Havant. Youngster Harry Fisher scored an unbeaten 69 to help his side over the line, while Ryan Scott was the stand-out bowler, returning three for 17.

“They had a good win on Saturday with Harry Fisher batting beautifully,” added Park.

“We are playing against players we know of with the likes Dom Hand, Ben Rogers and Ryan Scott.”

Bournemouth are set to name an unchanged XI, with batsman Luke Webb included after his impressive 141 last time out.

“Playing in coloured clothing at home, hopefully there will be a good turnout,” said the Bournemouth skipper.

“There is room for improvement for us as a side batting-wise. In the field we dropped one or two half chances that we could have maybe made a better effort with.

“As a team it will be more about us improving ourselves first and hopefully continuing the good start to the season.”