CRAIG de Weymarn believes the race for Division One honours is wide open and he is hoping his men can continue to set a furious pace.

The Bournemouth skipper has overseen a superb opening to the campaign for the Chapel Gate outfit – with their eight-match unbeaten record putting them out in front in the top-flight.

Their title credentials will be tested tomorrow when they visit second-placed Hampshire Academy.

De Weymarn expects that to be a very difficult match, but he also thinks the silverware could potentially go to any one of a handful of sides this term.

Delivering his verdict on the championship race, he said: “Anyone in the top half of the table are challengers at the moment.

“We’re only halfway through the season and, at this point, we’re happy where we are.

“If you look at all the teams behind us, all of them, within a couple of games, could be on our heels. There are probably five or six teams that could all potentially win it at the end of the season.

“All have the potential of beating each other and I’m sure the second half of the season will be no different to the first. Every game is going to be difficult and, hopefully, we’ll come out of them with more positive results as the games go on.”

Previewing the trip to the Rose Bowl Nursery Ground, he added: “They are not in the Hampshire academy for no reason – they are all decent players – so we’re expecting a very, very difficult Saturday afternoon.”

Elsewhere, third-placed Bash-ley host Havant. Andy Neal’s men are in fine form but are likely to face a stern challenge against the reigning champions, despite their slow start leaving them down in seventh spot.

Struggling Lymington, bottom of the table after recording just one win in nine outings, host St Cross Symondians.

Bashley: Neal, Sexton, Thurgood, R Morris, P Morris, Grierson, Friedman, Baker, Prince, King, Nash.

Bournemouth: S Ridley, House, J Park, N Park, Cahill, Cooke, De Weymarn, Metcalfe, Denham, Wainwright, Barlow.

• In Division Two, leaders New Milton will be hoping to recover from their first loss of the season when they visit basement boys Havant seconds.

Bournemouth seconds host Paultons in a mid-table match.

Bournemouth II: Coombs, C Ridley, Allum, Hurley, Miller, Kennedy, P Smith, Wilkinson, Clarke, Stanniford, Garlick.

New Milton: Wheeler, Adlem, Freeman, Linge, Neal, L Beck, Whitehurst, R Beck, Gargaro, T Prodomo, Loader.