WEYMOUTH & Portland head coach Paul Harding has revealed how helping develop the club’s next generation of players will be a key objective of his second spell in charge at Monmouth Avenue.

Harding returned to the club last week nearly two years after he relinquished the coaching reins because of work commitments.

His first game back in the hot-seat last Saturday ended in a 29-19 defeat by Dorset & Wilts Two South leaders East Dorset – a trip to New Milton Seconds awaits tomorrow (2.15pm).

Things have changed since Harding’s previous stint as head coach, not least the addition of Portland into the club’s name.

Harding left in May 2013 with the first XV in Southern Counties South and hopes high for the second and third teams.

A drop in playing numbers has given the club, like many around the country, a few headaches, but Harding is hoping to rekindle some enthusiasm for the game.

“I was approached by the club before Christmas and they asked me whether I would be prepared to come back,” he said.

“After talking with the club and my family I decided to see if I could help them out.

“It wasn’t a decision I took lightly because it can be such a tie and you have to be committed to the job.

“When I was at the club before we had a good deal of success, but they have gone through some hard times since then from a playing point of view.

“My brief is to get player numbers back up to where they were before and give the youngsters a route to develop from the Colts into the senior sides.

“There are some good players at the club and definitely potential for the future.”

He added: “It’s going to be difficult to challenge for promotion this year, but maybe we can look at that for next season. I’m really looking forward to the challenge and to see where we can get to.

“I had a successful time at the club before and it would be nice to have the same this time, but I know it’s going to be hard work.”

In Dorset & Wilts Three South, Weymouth & Portland Sec-onds face New Milton Thirds, while the third XV go to Elling-ham & Ringwood Thirds in Dorset & Wilts Four (both 2.15pm).

Dorchester are back on the road tomorrow as they head to Wiltshire to take on Bradford-on-Avon in Southern Counties South (2.30pm).

The hosts, whose director of rugby is England World Cup winner Lewis Moody, have had a tough season to date and lie three places and nine points behind the county town side in the table.

Dorchester head coach Martyn Peel said: “We were gutted to lose last Saturday but it showed we can compete against the top sides in the league.

“The lads are looking to kick on from last weekend’s performance and consolidate their position in the league.

“The weather has hampered preparations although at this stage of the season it’s more about tweaking small things rather than any major overhaul of our game.”

* Dorchester Seconds face Bournemouth at Coburg Road in Dorset & Wilts Two South (2pm), and the Thirds, who are also at home, entertain Wincanton in Dorset & Wilts Four (2.15pm).

Elsewhere, Swanage & Wareham can strengthen their grip on top spot in Southern Counties South with a home win against North Dorset (2.30pm).

Also in Dorset & Wilts Two South, Bridport host Salisbury Seconds and Puddletown visit Wimborne Thirds (both 2.15pm).