FOLLOWING a superb weekend for Dorchester, the first team have a few days to rest before the Ridgeway Rumble next Saturday against Weymouth.

Having made the quarter-final of the Dorset & Wilts Vase competition, the team now go straight into the semi-final due to Wiltshire club Minety being unable to field a side citing a “catastrophic injury crisis”

However, the county town club will still be in action with the A XV heading to Lytchett Minster in the Dorset & Wilts Shield competition, while the Gladiators lock horns with Fordingbridge Seconds away.

Rob Parker will take his side to Lytchett looking to progress to the next round after making the final of the competition last season.

With Laurence Burch on fine form, prop Chris Elliott finally back from injury, Luke Robson and George Foot add first-team experience from last season and confidence is high after last weekend’s win, the side go in the game looking strong.

Nick Lorimer back in the fold this season for Dorchester makes his second team cup debut.

Coach Parker is keen that the club do well in cup tournaments as well as the league, although selection can sometimes be difficult for cup games.

The strength and depth of the ever growing senior squad mean the club can field competitive teams for each side.

With some great fixtures at home on Sunday, the morning sees the under-16s entertain New Milton and the ever-improving girls’ teams training, while the afternoon sees the ladies’ team taking on the Trojans Ladies from Southampton and also the successful Colts side welcome Wimborne to Coburg Road.

Meanwhile, Puddletown are hosting a double header this weekend with their Development XV playing Swanage & Wareham tonight as a warm up to the Villagers’ quarter-final versus Dinton tomorrow (2.30pm).

Coach Sam Cload said: “We are not taking Dinton lightly after their narrow loss last weekend against Sherborne Seconds, even though we already had a convincing win away to Dinton in the league.

“Our numbers are good this year with the wider squad having a much needed run out versus the Swans tonight under floodlights.”