SWINDON Storm head coach Rich Van Sloten is hoping it will be third time lucky for his troops as they look to claim their first win of the new league season.

Their first two outings haven’t quite gone to plan, as they suffered a 20-0 away defeat to Portsmouth Dreadnoughts, before slipping to a 30-8 loss at home to Hertfordshire Cheetahs.

Now Van Sloten will turn his attention to their tie with Bournemouth Bobcats tomorrow, who are expected to provide stiff competition.

“We need to be focused for this game as every other game,” said Van Sloten. “Once we eliminate mistakes then we can just keep attacking them.

“I’ve never met the Bobcats before, but I know the Storm have played them before and we have a lot of respect for what they are capable of.”

The Storm coach also acknowledges that his squad isn’t quite at full strength due to injuries and unavailability, but believes the club have plenty of strength in depth.

“We still a fair few injuries and missing players for the game at the weekend, but I’m hoping we can fill in the gaps and remain competitive with what we’ve got.”

The Bobcats will go into the game in a buoyant mood as they dismantled Hastings Conquerors 65-8 in their second game of the season.