CAPTAIN Alan Manning is hoping Bournemouth can banish the memories of past failures as they bid to finally come good on the big stage.

The Lions star admits his men have stuttered when faced with major matches in recent years.

But the 25-year-old is desperate for the Chapel Gate outfit to right those wrongs when they host Chinnor in Saturday’s title showdown.

The clash could be a case of winner-takes-all as the victorious team will move into pole position for the National Three South West crown – and the division’s one automatic promotion place.

Lions were handed the title lifeline when rivals Chinnor lost to Barnstaple and Manning wants the long-time league leaders to take their chance.

The prop forward told the Daily Echo: “I think it has inspired the players a bit more because we knew it wasn’t in our hands, as such, before that game.

“If we had beaten Chinnor and they had beaten Redingensians, then I think they would have still been top of the league and probably gone up automatically. It was just nice to know it was back in our hands.

“Hopefully, with the big game coming up, we won’t do what we usually do and shy away from the challenge.

“Hartpury last year and Chinnor and Redingensians this season were big games. All three were quite winnable but some of the players just don’t seem to step up on the big stage when it is needed the most.

“That is something we have got to address as a team and, maybe, try to play this down as much as possible and just get our focus right and make sure we all do the right job on the day. That is going to be the most difficult thing – making sure we perform as we know we can.”

Manning continued: “It is an old cliché that you learn a lot from when you lose but you really do.

“You get to see what you are like under pressure and who steps up to the plate when needed most.

“In the back of peoples’ minds, they will know if they didn’t perform in the last game and will really want to go for it this time.

“We have been together for five years but most of us are still in our mid-20s. We need to draw on our experiences from the past couple of seasons and put it into practice now.”

Manning added: “Chinnor are a great side, unbeaten until the Barnstaple game, so we are still up against a great challenge.

“I don’t see anyone running away with the game and it is just about how we address it beforehand, and making sure it is just another game.

“If we can get that mindset, then I think we will be all right.”