IN THEIR final match of a somewhat unusual year, Dorchester Rugby Club head to Swanage & Wareham for their Tribute Southern Counties South fixture this Saturday (2pm KO).

Following two successive heavy defeats, the team available to head coach Josh Ovey looks far closer to his strongest line up than recent weeks, with key players returning and less playing in unfamiliar positions.

Three young players who are the product of the county town's own successful youth set up make up the back three, Jack Ward, Jack Hayward, and Freddie Marsden. Jamie Morgan and Callum King both return to their familiar centre partnership and Freddie Charles returns to his favoured number 9 role. Chris Elliott drops back in at tighthead prop whilst last weekend’s man of the match Ed Martin continues his run in the starting line-up.

After the unfortunate landslide against Yeovil, Ovey was pleased with his side's mindset and work rate last time out, in the defeat to third placed Salisbury. He commented that the side showed heart throughout and expressed their preferred brand of rugby on a number of occasions, notably leading to two well taken tries out wide.

A win for either side will see them remain in the top half of the table, however a loss for the visitors could see them drop a place to Walcot.

Dorchesters A XV also head to the Bestwalls ground to lock horns with the Swans 3rd XV in a Tribute Dorset & Wilts 2 South fixture. The visitors lie second in the table to their hosts seventh. A win should see the Green & Whites hold onto second spot over the festive break.

With both Scott Peach and Kieran Fry both in good form and pressing for a 1st XV spot and a stronger squad available, Dorchester will be keen to collect the full haul of points on the road.

Sunday at Surcouf Park will be relatively quiet as only the U14’s welcome opponents, this week from Bournemouth.

The combined Dorchester, Weymouth & Portland Ladies team, Ridgeway Roses, entertain Swanage & Wareham Ladies at Weymouth’s Monmouth Avenue ground for a 2pm kick off. The Ladies will be looking for their second successive win which could move them up a place in the league table, possibly tow if results go their way.