TOMORROW sees the start of Dorchester’s league campaign in Wadworth 6X Dorset & Wilts One South against Bournemouth Thirds.
After the summer break, the long-awaited new season is ready to kick off and entertain local fans at Coburg Road.
Ben Parker has set his squad a goal of promotion, and with pre-season now over the players are ready to take on the challenge.
Over the summer the club have picked up some new players and several colts are ready to move up to senior rugby and make their debuts at this level.
It is a testament to Dorchester’s youth section and its team of committed coaches that these younger players are moving in to the first XV squad.
This week sees Charlie Harries, Alex Peel and Harry Wheeler make their debuts at senior level.
Former Dorchester player Sam Jones makes a welcome return to the club and his strong running from the back row will be sure to complement the style of play from last season.
Newcomer to the club Dave Rawles takes his place on the bench for the first time to cover the front row.
Following his strong performance in pre-season games the evergreen Tom Gower steps in to take a place on the wing.
Adam Makepeace leads the side on the pitch this season with James Baker as his vice captain.
Club captain James Newsam is carrying an injury so does not feature in this week’s squad.
Although the pre-season fixtures did not bring a win for Dorchester, coach Parker says it gave the coaching team a real understanding of where their strengths lie and what the squad needs to do to continue to develop.
He says with the bar set high for promotion and league wins for the first and second XVs, the feeling is after nine weeks of training over the summer that the squad is in good shape.
Kick off at Coburg Road is at 3pm with Dorchester’s second XV scheduled to play away at Puddletown.
This weekend also sees the junior section back in action with U14s and U16s entertaining Wimborne whilst the U15s welcome Chippenham to Coburg Road. U7s - U12s will be training also.
Sunday afternoon sees the Colts in action against Bournemouth (2pm).
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