Brothers to take on Barbarians (From Dorset Echo)

Brothers to take on Barbarians

8:30am Friday 5th February 2010 in

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FAMILY values could play a pivotal role in Dorchester’s home clash with Ivel Barbarians.

Gower brothers Dave, Tom and Joe are all set to start alongside one another for the first time tomorrow (2pm) as the county town side eye a third straight win in Southern Counties South.

Head coach Mike Sprules is also keen to see his men protect their unbeaten record at Coburg Road.

He said: “We made hard work of last weekend’s game against Minety but we got there in the end. The lads felt they let themselves down against Sherborne a month ago but we have picked up since then, which is good.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to keep up our unbeaten home record tomorrow.”

Of tomorrow’s opponents, Sprules added: “They appear to be doing a bit better this year, plus it’s a local derby and we do have a few guys missing.”

Justin Miller and James Newsam are both injured while Callum Hawkins is unavailable. However, Richard Elliott returns to the fold.

Puddletown, without a win in over four months, face a crucial basement battle at Salisbury Seconds (2.30pm).

The Villagers, who lie four points clear of rock-bottom Salisbury, have only one Dorset & Wilts One South victory to their name this season and that came in the reverse fixture with tomorrow’s opponents on September 26.

Brothers Tom and Tim Yeatman are unavailable due to family commitments, but otherwise captain Dan Udell, whose side suffered a 71-3 hammering at Warminster six days ago, expects to be able to select from a full squad.

He said: “Last weekend against Warminster we had more than half of our first-choice players out for one reason or another, which made life difficult to say the least.

“Thankfully most are back for this vital game, and they all know how important it is that we come away with a result.”

Centre Barry Dovell is fit again following his broken wrist and is likely to be named as one of the replacements.

Also in Dorset & Wilts One South, Weymouth visit Frome Seconds aiming to extend their winning run to three games.

Seasiders’ captain Mark Sample, whose side enjoyed a 39-12 defeat of Salisbury last Saturday, will be hopeful that Weymouth can repeat the 28-5 victory over tomorrow’s hosts that came in September’s meeting at Monmouth Avenue.

Meanwhile, Swanage & Wareham travel to Bletchley in South West One East action, looking for an immediate return to winning ways (2.30pm).

Last weekend’s 30-6 reverse at High Wycombe ended a run of five games without defeat. Tomorrow the Swans face a Bletchley side they narrowly defeated 18-17 earlier in the campaign.