FRIDAY night rugby is on the menu for Dorchester tonight with a tough test awaiting them at Sherborne (7pm).

Head coach Martyn Peel and his county town side haven’t had the best of luck in their normal Saturday fixtures, so maybe the change of day will work for them this time.

And it is a case of history repeating itself for Dorchester, who again go into a Southern Counties South game this term on the back of a good performance which didn’t bring any reward.

Last Saturday’s 18-9 home defeat by Wimborne was difficult to swallow for Peel’s men, but the Dorchester chief is still upbeat despite the team’s lowly position in the table.

“Look at our points difference, it’s a lot better than the teams around us,” he said. “It just proves what we’ve been saying which is that we’re almost there on a regular basis.

“We rattled Sherborne at home earlier this season and we look forward going there knowing that if we can control the ball and the tempo we’ll put ourselves in a good position to win the game.”

The team is expected to be largely unchanged from last weekend with back-rower Sam Jones returning to take the place of James McQuillan, who is unavailable following an impressive debut against Wimborne.

Dorchester Seconds host Lytchett Minster at Coburg Road tomorrow (3pm) in Dorset & Wilts Two South, hoping to get back to winning ways after a 33-19 reverse to North Dorset Thirds last time out.

Team manager Tom Gower said: “Selection is a joy because we’ve got such a great bunch of lads.

“The team and the bench will be strong for Saturday and we feel we’ve got a point to prove against Lytchett so we’re ready to give them a good game.”

Hooker Simon Pengelly is expected to return to the side and local boy Harry Smith comes in at half-back.

In the same division, Wey-mouth Seconds entertain title challengers Dorset Dock- ers and Puddletown go to Oak-meadians Seconds (both 3pm).

Bridport have home advantage for their Dorset & Wilts One South clash with Oakmeadians, while Swanage & Wareham Seconds visit Salisbury Seconds (both 3pm).

There are 2.30pm starts for Weymouth Thirds and Brid-port Seconds in Dorset & Wilts Four.

Weymouth host Blandford Sec-onds and the Blues welcome Lytchett Minster Seconds to the Brewery Field.