WINNING on the road has proved difficult for Dorchester in Southern Counties South this season – and their task won’t be made any easier tomorrow when they go to title challengers Sherborne (2.30pm).

Martyn Peel’s men have tasted success away from Coburg Road just once since the campaign began in September, while Sher-borne’s sole defeat at Gainsbor-ough Park came against league leaders Swanage & Wareham.

And rather ominously for Dorchester head coach Peel and his troops, Sherborne, second in the table, are on a three-match winning run and didn’t concede a single point in their last two matches.

But the county town side head to Sherborne boosted by the return from injury of Tom Bamlet and Carl Mitchell, who will add some much-needed power up front if selected.

“Numbers continue to be good at training and the coaching staff have noticed confidence returning to their squad,” said Dorchester secretary Andrew Smith.

“Local derbies are always difficult to predict but Dor-chester are keen to reverse their run of losses against Sherborne.”

After missing out on victory in the Dorset & Wilts Cup final last weekend, table-toppers Swanage & Wareham will look to extend their unblemished league record at home to third-placed Wim-borne (2.30pm).

In Dorset & Wilts Two South, Kevin Leatham’s Weymouth & Portland visit Ellingham & Ringwood Seconds (2.15pm), bidding to follow up a comfortable 40-7 triumph over Wimborne Thirds last time out.

Other than full-back Steve Nation-Grainger, skipper Leath-am has a full squad to pick from, and after a weekend off the captain insists his charges are ready for action.

“Everyone is fresh and raring to go,” he said. “Sometimes a break helps and we’ve had some really good training sessions this week.

“We haven’t played them yet this season but we had a very close game up there last season, so we will go there with the right attitude.”

Like their first XV, Dorchester Seconds have a local derby tomorrow, this one at Coburg Road, when they take on Bridport (2.15pm).

Dorchester captain Tom Evans is delighted to be able to select a full-strength team and will be after a third win on the bounce.

Also in Two South, Puddle-town, in fourth, entertain Salis-bury Seconds (2.15pm), the side currently closest to leaders East Dorset.

Elsewhere, Weymouth & Portland Seconds meet Oak-meadians Seconds at Monmouth Avenue (2.15pm) in Dorset & Wilts Three South, while in Dorset & Wilts Four, Dorchester Thirds welcome Ellingham & Ringwood Thirds to the county town.

The visitors got the better of Nick Hodge’s side earlier this term so the skipper and his players are going to be out for revenge tomorrow (2.15pm).

And with a real team spirit evident, Hodge is expecting a rousing display from fourth-placed Dorchester.