DAN Cawley insists his side can remain in the National Three title hunt ahead of tomorrow’s game at mid-table Exmouth (2pm).

Lions last weekend surrendered their lead at the top of the table to Hartpury College after failing to gain a bonus point in their 26-13 win over third-placed Old Patesians.

But Cawley, the former Lions captain who returned to Chapel Gate late in 2010 after an 18-month absence due to work commitments, told the Echo: “We still think we have got enough to win the league.

“Hartpury have still got a couple of tough games to go – they have got to play Old Patesians and they have to play us at home – so we are still hoping to come in first. We don’t want to rely on coming second and going into a play-off match.”

Exmouth have also hit some recent form, banking close to 60 points in last week’s game at Cleve.

Cawley added: “We are hoping to carry on with our title push, so we are looking for five points. But we are aware Exmouth have got quite a good home record this year and it is not a particularly nice place to go and play.”

Reflecting on his return to the club he helped to promotion from the old South West Two East in 2007, Cawley said: “I have been coming back to Bournemouth in and out for the past few months, but I have not been able to play because of work commitments.

“Over the past couple of months I have been able to train properly and slowly work my way back into the side.

“The team is doing really well at the moment so it is good to have a bit more competition for places and, hopefully, I have added to that.

“I am happy playing my part and if I could do that for the rest of the season, that would be great.”

Lions: (from) K Lynch, Lilley, Bruce, Chislett, Stewart, Pollard, Hardcastle, Yarwood, R Lynch, Wilford, Manning, Forrest, Seward, Hennings, Ford, Hughes, Tarrant, Wareham, Collier.