BOURNEMOUTH snatched a last gasp victory with Grant Hancox kicking a penalty with the last play of the game to give the Lions a one-point win over Winchester.

The kicker had missed two kicks at goal to snatch the points over the visitors to Chapel Gate, one narrowly missing and the other striking the upright, but Hancox slotted the crucial kick to take the 33-32 win for the hosts.

Bournemouth director of rugby, Will Croker, said it was a nail-biting win after they’d fallen behind with five minutes to play.

“It's quite nice to be on the end of one of those results, especially after what happened to us at Tottonians,” Croker said.

“We were pretty pleased with the way that we played.

(Image: Photo: Simon Carlton) “I felt that we dominated most parts of the game. Scrummage, ball in play time, the contact area, carrying heavy and getting across the gain line, we were able to do relatively well.”

Croker said his side had two moments where they switched off in the first 40 that allowed Winchester to stay in the game.

The visitors’ hooker crossed the whitewash in the corner after a quick tap and go from five metres out.

Then, a Winchester kick at goal in the final play of the half hit the post and bounced favourably for the visitors were able to cross for a try.

“Grant Hancox, whilst missing the couple towards the end, had kicked beautifully,” Croker said.

“[He] kicked seven penalties. We scored very good tries from David Scupham and Maverick Goodchild which really got us back into the flow.

“At one point we were 25-12 down and that was needed.

(Image: Photo: Simon Carlton) “We managed to keep the momentum going. Winchester are a tough team to beat as they're undefeated so far this year so we were delighted to be able to get that win over them.

“But forgetting the opposition for a moment, it was more about our performance and how we played. So, overall, very happy.”

Bournemouth’s second side, the Nomads, were held to a 14-14 draw at Eastleigh, after being 14-3 up.

Croker said the game was disrupted by lots of penalties and yellow cards for both sides, with Louis Parker eventually being sent off for Bournemouth towards the end of the game.

(Image: Photo: Simon Carlton) Despite the disappointment of falling to a draw after having the lead, Croker said the draw showed a lot of courage and character from the side that have had a tough start, particularly against a side that had won three out of four games.

Bournemouth’s third team ‘romped’ to another win, Croker said, against Wimborne’s third team as the Wanderers remain undefeated.

Croker said: “All in all, across the three sides, we took 12 points from a possible 15, a very positive weekend all round.”