BRACKNELL crashed to a second straight South West Premier defeat as they went down 13-3 to early-season pace-setters Bournemouth at a wet Lily Hill Park on Saturday.

It was the home side who took the lead courtest of an early Vic Hardwicke penalty, but that was as good as it got for Bracknell as their opponents levelled inside 10 minutes courtesy of a Grant Hancox three-pointer of their own.

Bournemouth moved in front after dominating possession and territory, the brave home defence eventually punctured with wing Alex Everett-Bolter going over before captain Hancox added the extras to make it 10-3 to the visitors at the interval.

As the rain continued to come down the second half saw more and more handling errors from both sides, but it was the away side who moved 10 points clear when a break by No. 8 Hamish Renwick was halted illegally by Bracknell, allowing Hancox to land his second penalty of the afternoon.

Bracknell began to take control in the final quarter, but their decision to go for the corner in search of a try rather than take a shot at goal proved costly as the Bournmouth defensive line held firm and repelled the hosts, leaving the Lily Hill men without even a losing bonus-point at the end of 80 minutes.

Tenth-placed Bracknell will hope to return to winning ways when they travel to second-bottom and yet-to-win Weston-super-Mare this Saturday (3pm).