AFTER the pain of defeat to local rivals Wimborne, Dorchester look to recover well with a good home win against Avonvale in tomorrow’s Tribute Southern Counties South League clash (3pm).

Head coach Josh Ovey shuffles a few players around to get his strongest side out with a few absentees for work and injury reasons.

Following some registration headaches both Hywel Davies and James Cooper make their debuts from the bench and on the wing respectively, whilst the new young combination of Freddie Charles and James McKendry continues at nine and 10.

Steve Tucker returns at number eight with team captain James Newsam moving to flanker.

Another product of Dorchester’s superb junior section, Jack Hayward, is set to make his debut from the bench for the senior squad also. Hayward can cover the vital half-back roles and looks another fine prospect for the club.

READ MORE: Wimborne 27-12 Dorchester - match report

As the league stands currently, Avonvale sit four places but just one point above the county town side. With two of the three sides above them playing each other a good result could see Dorchester move up the table before heading into two crucial games.

Club captain Tony O’Connell has thanked the whole senior squad in his programme notes, for training hard along with commitment from all levels to support the club as it builds post pandemic keeping three senior teams running to buck regional trends.

Elsewhere, Weymouth & Portland have been awarded five points this weekend.

This comes after Sherborne Seconds cancelled the Tribute Dorset & Wilts One South fixture. 

Also in the division, Bridport host Salisbury Seconds and Puddletown entertain Blandford.

With no league game for the A XV, a combined Gladiators squad host Weymouth & Portland’s second string in a friendly tonight at Surcouf Park (7.30pm).

Sunday sees Dorchester’s Colts visit Weymouth & Portland, along with the under-14s and under-16s. All other age groups host their nearest geographic rivals at Surcouf Park.