Must-win Seasiders face up to the North (From Dorset Echo)

Must-win Seasiders face up to the North

8:30am Friday 8th January 2010 in

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WEYMOUTH play host to North Dorset Seconds tomorrow in a promotion tussle at Monmouth Avenue.

The Seasiders currently lie fifth in Dorset & Wilts One South, four points behind their second-placed opponents but with a game in hand, so victory is a must if they harbour any hopes of finishing in the top two.

Weymouth, who last week experienced Southern Counties Senior Vase semi-final heartache, will also be keen to avenge the 29-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of North Dorset on the first Saturday in October.

Dorchester hope to get 2010 off to the perfect start when they entertain struggling Ivel Barbarians in Southern Counties South tomorrow.

Mike Sprules’ charges experienced a disappointing end to 2009 – losing three of their last four league encounters – and are now six points adrift of table-topping Frome.

The county town side will also be aiming to complete a double over the Barbarians following their 25-17 triumph in Somerset on October 3.

Weather permitting, Puddletown will contest their first home game since mid-November when they host Swanage & Wareham Seconds in Dorset & Wits One South (2.30pm).

Bad news for the Villagers though is that former captain and number eight Dave Holah has been ruled out for a month following an operation.

However, other than Holah’s absence, skipper Dan Udell has a full squad available for selection, and is hoping that the Villagers can start the New Year with a win.

He said: “With clubs like the Swans, who put out four sides each week, it’s always difficult to predict how strong a team will turn up on the day.

“They are sure to include their usual mixture of experience and youth, so we’ll have to be at our best to come out on top. At least we’ll have home advantage and it will be good to be playing on our own pitch again after a run of four away games.”

League leaders Bridport return to the Brewery Ground tomorrow (2pm) to host rock bottom Salisbury Seconds, whose solitary victory to date came in the reverse fixture three months ago.

Elsewhere, in South West One East, Swanage & Wareham travel to lowly Bletchley tomorrow (2pm) with third spot still within reach.

The Swans, who beat tomorrow’s hosts 18-17 at Bestwall back in September, are just two points adrift of third-placed High Wycombe.

FIXTURES South West One East: Bletchley v Swanage & Wareham, Cheltenham v Buckingham, Marlow v Wootton Bassett, Oakmeadians v Trowbridge, Olney v High Wycombe, Salisbury v Wallingford, Walcot v Reading Abbey.

Southern Counties South: Bradford-on-Avon v Oldfield Old Boys, Devizes v Tadley, Dorchester v Ivel Barbarians, Frome v Sherborne, North Dorset v Minety, Wimborne v Corsham.

Dorset & Wilts One South: Blandford v Frome II, Bridport v Salisbury II, Puddletown v Swanage & W II, Warminster v Wimborne II, Westbury v Oakmeadians II, Weymouth v North Dorset II.

Dorset & Wilts Two South: Bournemouth III v South Wilts, Lytchett Minster II v Ellingham & Ringwood II, North Dorset III v Dorchester II, Salisbury III v Fordingbridge II, Swanage & W III v Sherborne II, Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew v Bridport II.

Dorset & Wilts Three South: North Dorset IV v Bournemouth IV, Poole v East Dorset, Swanage & Wareham IV v Blandford II, Wimborne III v Weymouth II.