Waiting for Wilson as Croft quits club (From Dorset Echo)

Waiting for Wilson as Croft quits club

9:30am Friday 4th January 2013 in Sport By David Williams, Sports Reporter

THE return of centre Joel Wilson to the Weymouth fold cannot come quick enough for coach Paul Harding after Idris Croft quit the club to take up a teaching job in Spain.

Croft made a promising start to the season and was on course to make his comeback from a fractured cheekbone.

But he has decided to accept the offer of a new job on the continent meaning Wilson’s impending return following knee ligament problems will be all the more welcome.

Tomorrow’s tussle with Frome in Southern Counties South (2.30pm) comes a bit too soon for him, and Harding, also without fellow centre Gareth Iles, turns to James Ford in the three-quarters.

Number eight Sam Morris is also unavailable so captain Julian Quick moves back from the second row and Paul West fills in at lock.

A 32-13 defeat to Devizes before Christmas halted a run of three wins but Harding insists his players are raring to go as they look to avenge a 31-22 reverse to Frome earlier in the season.

“We were winning 23-21 last time but it was just a bit of inexperience on our part that cost us,” he said. “We also struggled at the scrum and they were very dominant up front but I don’t anticipate that being the case this time.

“We’ve had a good break and are now ready to go again.

“It’s disappointing to lose Idris because we were hoping to have him back after injury.

“But he let me know what was happening and it was on the cards so we’ll have to cope with it.”

Because of Wimborne’s cup duties there is no fixture for Dorchester tomorrow.

Second bottom goes to second top in South West One East as Swanage & Wareham visit high-flying Old Cen-tralians (2pm).

The form book points to a win for the hosts who are going for 13 victories in succession while Swanage & Wareham have recorded one triumph in the last six.

Oakmeadians Seconds provide the opposition for Simon Bareham's Brid-port in their first Dorset & Wilts Division One South outing of the year (2.15pm).

The Blues cruised to a 29-0 victory over the Oaks at home earlier in the season, so skipper Ricky Stubbs and his men will be going for a league double.

The visitors are fifth in the table, level on points with Salisbury Seconds, while Oakmeadians are down in ninth place.

Like Dorchester, Puddletown are without a game this weekend.