Bournemouth Rugby are set to take on Newbury this Saturday at Chapel Gate as they look to get their twelfth win in a row. The Lions currently sit second in the Regional 2 South Central league after 14 games.
Before this run of form took everyone by surprise, the Lions had been fighting desperately to avoid relegation but things did not go their way and they could not survive.
After getting relegated last year, their luck was about to change after the club was purchased by three businessmen, Richard Carr, Drew Mellor and Matthew Barker in August 2024.
Ever since the club went under new ownership, the side has never looked better.
Bournemouth Rugby captain Grant Hancox has described his time at the club as a “thoroughly enjoyable decade” and that the motive of the team is the best it has ever been.
A home win against rivals, Winchester, was his most enjoyable moment in their run of form, when a late winner secured all four points for the Lions.
The final score in that game was 33-32 back in October 2024.
Additionally, Hancox praised his sides growth over the recent seasons especially regarding their form on away days, against teams like Newbury Blues.
“We’ve had some dogged away wins where in the last 2 years, we would’ve definitely lost.”
Hancox has been injured with a shoulder injury and missed the last three games. It hasn’t been easy for him but he’s praised his vice-captain, Callum McKenzie, for helping the squad where necessary.
The 33-year-old added on regarding the impact the new ownership has had on the club,
“It’s attracted a bit of attention locally, there is no hiding that when a local team gets that kind of support from a businessman.
“The matchday experience at Chapel Gate has changed a lot since then compared to what it was 4/5 years ago”
Hancox added praise to the home support the team has been receiving at Chapel Gate,
“For me as a player, the matchday experience has been amazing and benefited so much since we have had those 3 investors.”
Listen hear to James Orpin’s interview with Bournemouth Lions captain Grant Hancox.
One of the owners, Richard Carr, and the CEO of Fortitudo, made the club goals clear when acquiring Bournemouth Rugby, along the lines of the club being a Premiership side in the next eight to ten years.
When asking the Lions captain if the team are aware about this, he said,
“Yeah, we are, they’ve been very vocal about it.
“That will absolutely exceed my playing career, but I w
ill 100% give it my all to get us to the premiership.”
The skipper mentioned that there is mixed pressure on the club as the long-term goal doesn’t pile on extra pressure but in terms of short-term, an extra weight of expectation is placed on Dorset side.
Having the expectations to secure multiple promotions is no easy task.
Hancox said “Never say never.
“We should seriously be competing with the pyramid of rugby and sides up there especially considering the local popu
lation.
“I don’t think it an unachievable dream, but it will take a lot of work and dedication.
“If you asked us about promotion 6 months ago, it was never mentioned.
“Promotion was never considered.”
He also added that Bournemouth Rugby having their ‘own home’ will go a big way to secure that Premiership dream.
Looking ahead to their match against Newbury at Chapel Gate this Saturday, the captain believes it is massively important to secure their twelfth win in a row and to not let any points slip.
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