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Dorchester's title test (From Dorset Echo)
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Dorchester's title test
9:28am Friday 27th November 2009
DORCHESTER’S title credentials will be put to the test tomorrow as they travel to second-placed Frome (2.30pm).
The county town side sit third in Southern Counties South but level on points with both Frome and current leaders North Dorset.
Mike Sprules’ men only achieved promotion last season but have been thrust into a potential title race courtesy of seven league wins from eight.
“They are one of the sides who are on the same number of points as us so it’s going to be a hard one,” said Sprules. “We beat Devizes 66-3 but in the North Dorset game we showed them too much respect.
“I’m looking for us to carry on playing our style of rugby. Frome have got a strong pack but we’ll look to move them around and tire them out.
“But the weather forecast isn’t too good, which would benefit them more than it would benefit us.”
Winger James Baker broke his wrist against Devizes but Rich Bament looks set to return after a six-week absence with an achilles injury.
Weymouth will aim to get their title bid back on track when they visit Westbury in Dorset & Wilts One South (2.30pm).
The Seasiders’ previous league outing was the 18-10 defeat to rivals Bridport on November 7, and they are currently four points adrift of the table-topping Blues but with a game in hand.
Bridport meanwhile, host a resurgent Swanage & Wareham Seconds tomorrow (2.30pm).
After beating the weather last week, the Swans then defeated Salisbury Seconds to record their third win on the bounce.
At the same time the Blues suffered a Southern Counties Senior Vase defeat at the hands of Drifters.
Puddletown return to Dorset & Wilts One South action with a visit to fourth placed Oakmeadians Seconds (2pm).
The Villagers, looking to halt a run of six successive defeats, have back row forwards Paul Chidley and Dave Holah fit again while winger Tom Jackson and centre Scott Rumble are both available having missed the 15-8 loss to Westbury.
Skipper Dan Udell said: “We’ve been playing well recently without getting the results. There’s no lack of confidence in the squad and I’m convinced that if we stick together we can turn things around. I’d be a happy man if we started this tomorrow – we’ll certainly be giving it our best shot.”
Swanage & Wareham face arguably their toughest assignment so far as they visit top of the table Cheltenham in South West One East (2.30pm).
The league leaders have lost just once in 11 games but the Swans enter the match in confident mood with three straight wins under their belt.
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