WILL Croker revealed how Bournemouth had overcome half-time frustration to break Old Patesians’ resistance on the opening day of the South West Premier campaign.

Lions held a 17-0 advantage after 40 minutes in Cheltenham but ran riot after the restart, the returning Adam Higgins scoring a hat-trick as they charged to a 50-0 success against their promoted opponents.

Croker told the Daily Echo: “We were frustrated at half-time because we were sort of lucky to have the zero, because they had turned down a penalty in front of the posts in order to kick to the corner.

“We had given away too many penalties and had made too many unforced errors. We knew if tightened up on those, we would get some momentum going.

“By keeping the ball for longer periods, the intensity increased and eventually they cracked. We were able to score some really good tries.

“Adam took a couple of his tries very well and also got a dot down after amazing work from Grant Hancox and Scott Chislett.”

An early Hancox penalty and tries from Dan Stewart and Chislett put Bournemouth in control.

After the break, Higgins touched down and a penalty try was awarded in Lions’ favour.

Higgins and Chislett then grabbed their second scores, both of which were converted by Hancox.

And with two minutes left, Higgins completed his treble.