DORCHESTER’S second XV are set to take on Trowbridge in the Dorset & Wilts Shield final tomorrow (2pm).

The opposition currently sit second in Dorset & Wilts Two North and are in fine form with 11 wins from 14, while Dorchester have five wins from 14.

However, Dorchester go into the game off the back of some recent good results against Oakmeadians, Lytchett Minster and North Dorset.

With a larger squad able to travel and more replacements named for a cup final, the county town squad looks in good health.

Aled Watkins, Luke Doherty and Jamie Ritchie will call on all their knowledge and strength to compete against the opposition at the front of the scrum, while Brad Mullins and Laurence Burch combine in the second row and William Hawke, Tom Gower and Ed Andrews all add up to a very strong pack of forwards.

The backs look equally as strong with a great partnership between the combative Kieran Fry and captain Rob Parker at nine and 10, they have the opportunity to take the game to Trowbridge. Julian Dale and Etienne Peach provide outright speed on the wings and the centre partnership of Leo Ansell and James Franzen will ask questions of Trowbridge, adding in James Kirkpatrick at full-back.

The bench sees much experience from the evergreen Paul Broadbent and the hard-tackling Josh Hosford to name but two.

Parker has told his team to go out and enjoy the moment. He sees it as a real opportunity for some young new talent to shine and for players to not only pick up some silverware, but to lay down a marker for first-team selection.

Club coaches Ben Parker and Rich Bament have been leading training and the high turnout has helped with a strong squad selection.

They said: “A win would be tremendous for the team and the club to keep the momentum moving forward in the senior squad.”

The ground, at Slaughtergate, North Dorset, is open to anyone who wishes to travel and watch the final.