COBURG Road is set to host a titanic battle tomorrow when Dorchester locks horns with arch-rivals Weymouth & Portland (2.15pm).

The Ridgeway Rumble between the two clubs is set to be a good, strong hard game of rugby with two close neighbours looking to take a win into the New Year.

Weymouth & Portland are three places above Dorchester in Dorset & Wilts One South and the county town side are in resurgent form looking to take three wins in a row.

With new coach Ben Parker in place, the hosts have worked hard at the set-piece and have returned to training twice a week.

The scrum is looking solid and forward play very strong. With speed in the backs the side are not lacking in confidence and look to entertain the expected large crowd.

The game is set to be a tough one with no quarter given.

A strong pack including Tom Evans, Dave Cottell, James Newsam and Steve Tucker will look to dominate at the scrum and the hard tackling quick set of backs including captain James Baker, Toby Waddington and Jamie Morgan will look to capitalise on ball won by the pack.

The Dorchester bench looks to add impact when needed and the whole squad are beginning to work together well.

Meanwhile, Dorchester’s second XV travel to Greenfields to take on a high-flying Puddletown side currently third in Dorset & Wilts Two South.

With Dorchester beginning to move up the table following a recent turn in form, they will not want to come away from the game empty-handed.

Second-team manager Russ Milford takes a strong squad for the game with a pack including Tom Bamlet, Jamie Ritchie, Aled Watkins and Leo Ansell.

Speed in the backs will undoubtedly come from Etienne Peach, Julian Dale and Jake Bosher. With a bench full of experience and youth all able to make an impact on the game, the side will look to keep the momentum going.

There is also a friendly game between Dorchester Gladiators and a Swanage & Wareham XV to enable those on the return to rugby programme and those available to play this weekend a pre-Christmas run out with true Barbarian-style rugby.

This will add to the family atmosphere at Coburg Road for the weekend culminating in the club’s festive party post match.

Chairman Nick Hodge looks forward to welcoming spectators and players and officials from the visiting sides and also the fundraisers from Weldmar Hospice who will be attending and, making a collection as the club’s charity partner.

Further fundraising fro Weldmar will come in the shape of a Christmas raffle at the club’s festive post match party.

Prizes include a Christmas hamper provided by DB foods, a selection of Craft ales from Cerne Abbas Brewery, Christmas treats from Bookers a Golf Umbrella and thermos mug from Westerly BMW and Brewery tour tickets from Palmers. All welcome to come and join in the fun, celebrate in style and raise funds for a fantastic local charity.

n Other games at Coburg Road for the final weekend before Christmas are Minis versus Oakmeadians, under-15s versus Salisbury and the girls against Bridgwater.