by Alex Hoad

Andy Pratt is keen for his side to finish the National 2 South season on a high with victory over relegation-battling Bournemouth on Saturday.

The city club can’t move up from eighth in the table but the head coach wants victory as a send-off for long-serving wing Mike Melford and prop Matt Pinnock.

Melford, 29, (pictured) is retiring after nine years at Merton Lane – during which he has scored 119 tries for the club and gained Kent and England Universities honours – while Pratt believes Pinnock, 30, may have played his last game at that level after a long-term back problem.

Pratt said: "Mike will be starting and we’d like to give him a send-off, plus Matt Pinnock will be on the sidelines, his back injury might mean he’s unable to play at this level again.

"They have been great servants and we want to finish on a high for them."

Bournemouth need a win to stave off the threat of relegation but Pratt said: "They have all the motivation but we have quality and hopefully there will be a big crowd there."

The final action of the season at Merton Lane, which starts at 3pm, comes on the club’s special Open Day with taster sessions and mini rugby on offer as well as a Rugby Tech Shield match between the Pilgrims and Barnes.

Admission is free with a leaflet found on the club website."