BOURNEMOUTH'S Powergen Intermediate Cup dreams died amid controversy at Chapel Gate, with Lions manager Steve Buffery at the eye of the storm.

An absorbing, see-saw tussle saw South West Two West outfit Brixham net a dramatic 32-31 second-round victory thanks to two disputed scores in the final quarter.

And bizarrely Buffery, who was running the line for the tie, turned out to play an integral role in his own side's downfall.

First, he and the other officials missed an alleged offence on a Bournemouth player as Adam Chadwick raced in for a breakaway try.

Then, Sean Onslow's late penalty, which proved to be the decisive score, was a source of disagreement among the officials.

"I put my flag up but the other touch judge didn't," said Buffery. "But I saw it go between the sticks.

"The referee consulted both of us and he thought he saw it go through too and gave it. The referee made the final decision and you have to stick by that.

"I knew I was going to get some flak for it, but these things happen in rugby and in sport."

The late drama was even harsher on Lions after they had roared back from a 22-10 half-time deficit into a 31-22 lead thanks to an exhilarating second-half display.

Robert Bruce, as he had done the previous week, touched down inside a minute of the second half, and Sam Hardcastle danced his way down the right to continue the recovery.

And when Francois van Schalkwyk added his customary try, it looked as if it would be the home side powering into round three, before the late controversy arrived.

Lions had been slow out of the blocks in the opening period, a try from skipper Matt Kiely and five points from the boot of Simon McFarlane all they had to show.

Buffery said: "I think we lost the game in the first half. Their forwards put us under pressure in the first 20 minutes.

"We were fantastic in the second half and demolished them, but we were playing catch-up. Once they grabbed the breakaway try, they were a different team again."

Bournemouth: Flynn, Chislett, Bruce, Cawley, van Schalkwyk, McFarlane, Hardcastle, Ingram, Corbett, Sturgess (Awdas, 47), Seward, Kenny, Harris, Kiely, Hokianga. Unused subs: Hicks, Edwards, Sanchez.

l An inexperienced Wimborne proved no match for a strong Exmouth side as the Leigh Park outfit crashed out of the Intermediate Cup 37-0 in Devon.

Decimated by injuries, Wimborne were forced to hand debuts to four 18-year-olds - Tom Shorricks, George Wareham, Russ McFarlane and Steve King - and they never recovered from the shock of conceding two early tries. They were 17-0 down inside eight minutes and 25-0 behind by the break.

Wimborne spokesman Paul Collins said: "Our injury situation is equally as bad as Oaks' was. I was proud of the youngsters as they never gave up and there were some great performances so hats off to them."

Wimborne: Hescroft, Brokenshire, Tinsdale, King, Oddie, Atkins, Lennon, Wareham, Llewellyn, Thick, Todd, Grove, Stephens, King, Hymers. Subs: Shorricks, Melrose, Hash.