If you find yourself with too much excitement in your life and want a little more tedium, speak to an economist. They will explain that an industry or market dominated by a small number of dominant firms is called an oligopoly. They will go on to say that a feature of an oligopolistic market are the barriers that make it difficult for other firms to enter the market. Looking at the Regional 2 South Central table it seems this league of twelve we're in is reflective of an oligopolistic market, dominated as it is by four teams at the top of the table with the gap between Tottonians in fourth place and Wimborne in fifth being seventeen points. I would hazard a guess that the top four teams are remunerating some if not all of their players and this makes it difficult for those clubs not paying their players to move into one of the top positions in the league. In other words a financial barrier to entry into the top of the league. And occasionally these circumstances lead to one sided matches much like we had on Saturday. I am as die hard a Blues fan as anyone but there are times when we have to say we were outplayed by a team whose Chairman said at the end of the game, "it was the best we've played all season."

And yet last October when Bournemouth came to Monks Lane Blues lost by only eight points and that was with a late try scored by Bournemouth, so we can compete with these teams but just didn't show that on Saturday. Much disappointment at the final whistle but the players still found time to go over and thank the small band of travelling support when all they must have wanted to do was get back into the changing room. As always in heavy defeats teams try to look for positives and James McAvoy commented, "the scrum held up well and there was some attack shape but we just didn't keep the ball long enough to see it through." There were also creditable performances from player of the match Dan Thorne and the player Bournemouth nominated as Blues player of the match, Kyle Doel. James also said, "after the break we just didn't embrace the physical battle. (It was) a good test of players ability to show resilience and combative skills as first and foremost rugby is a contact sport and we didn't get that right with and without the ball."

The contrast with the way Bournemouth played was stark. The speed they were coming onto the ball was impressive, they disrupted a lot of our breakdown, their big ball carrying forwards were hard to bring down and their strike runners were very impressive. Whilst saying this Blues had their moments and the injuries to Harry Edwards and Patch Anderson disrupted Blues attacking potential. Before going off Harry was punching holes in the home side's defence and was being a considerable nuisance to them both in attack and defence. Blues found themselves down by four converted tries within the first twenty minutes but steadied the ship a little as the half wore on and kept out the home side until they scored their fifth try on the stroke of half time. During this time Blues had their best period of the match, winning a number of penalties and setting up a number of attacking lineouts. Unfortunately the pressure Bournemouth put on Blues lineout meant the home side turned over the ball on three occasions to relieve the pressure Blues had built up. The half time whistle sounded with Bournemouth having scored five tries and opening up a 33-0 lead.

The second half started as the first half ended, with the home side exerting pressure in all phases of the game and soon setting up an attacking lineout courtesy of a penalty kick to the corner. From the lineout the Bournemouth forwards rumbled over for their sixth try. And things went from bad to worse for Blues. However they did secure some ball and made a few surges forward but at crucial moments the physicality of the home side proved crucial in either turning over Blues ball or winning penalties with the level of pressure exerted. With the game moving into the final quarter and the relentless attacking of a Bournemouth side brimming with confidence, Blues conceded a few more tries, one an interception as they tried to run out of defence. For those of us who have been at the wrong end of a significant defeat the feeling is not great but Blues go again next week with the rearranged match against Farnham and here's hoping for a much closer match.

Thanks to Blues supporters who made the trip to Bournemouth, to the players for keeping going until the end and to Bournemouth for their off pitch hospitality throughout the day. During the pre match lunch there were lots of speeches and a lovely touch when the junior/mini player of the month was recognised and presented with an award. He got the biggest cheer of the day which was well deserved.

And as for economists, if you put ten of them in a room, how many opinions will you get? Clearly eleven. See you next week.

Brian Lee