The Lions are set to take on the early league flyers, Havant, in what promises to be a nail-biting encounter. Kick-off is slated for 2:30 pm.
However, the Lions are grappling with a wave of challenges, struggling to find stability within their ranks. With players dispersing to universities across the country, coupled with injuries and unavailability, the line-up that faced Marlborough has been considerably depleted. The absentees include Joe Desmond, Johnathan Young, Josh Sanchez, Antony Fitch, Dean Smith, Ollie Vincent, Ryan Woodford, and Ben Goodall.
Yet, amidst the setbacks, the Lions receive a much-needed boost with the return of the Palmer brothers. Jack Palmer will be anchoring the scrum as a loose head, while Sam Palmer takes his place on the bench. Adding to the reinforcement is Robert Heath, marking his comeback for the Lions in what promises to be an electrifying season debut.
Newcomer Reece Savage is set to make a grand entrance into Bournemouth Rugby, adding a fresh dynamic to the team. Meanwhile, Connor Moore, following two stellar appearances off the bench, earns his first start as scrum half in lieu of the still sidelined Harry Warr. The pack will see the likes of Frederick Harding & Matt Durkin coming in, Harry Costello comes in as fly half, and Stan Vincent on the bench, injecting renewed vigor into the team.
Though the pack experiences a whirlwind of changes, the backline retains a more steadfast formation from the previous week.
Havant, perennial contenders, are renowned for their disciplined and well-coordinated play. Their recent tussle with Brighton saw them seize control in the opening 25 minutes, though they allowed Brighton to claw back. Havant clinched victory after an impressive second-half resurgence, demonstrating their mettle and fortitude.
The Lions must steel themselves in defence, especially in the initial quarter, as Havant are known to launch a relentless assault from the whistle. Opportunities will arise, and the Lions must seize every moment, shoring up discipline and minimizing unforced errors.
Meanwhile, the Nomads prepare to host local rivals New Milton at Chapel Gate. Both teams are hungry for redemption following challenging season openers. A closely contested battle is anticipated, with victory potentially swinging in either direction.
The Wanderers, on the other hand, continue their road stint, facing off against Sherborne on the Dorset-Wiltshire border. Sherborne enters the fray with a week’s rest, benefiting from a walkover against Ellingham & Ringwood. The Wanderers, seeking atonement for their previous outing against SWANS, are determined to assert their dominance against the yet untested Sherborne squad.
As September draws to a close, all Bournemouth teams grapple with inconsistency, beset by injuries, weddings, unavailability, and university commitments. With the month’s end on the horizon, hopes run high for the emergence of stability, propelling these teams up the league tables. The journey ahead promises to be nothing short of exhilarating.
