DORCHESTER’S opening Southern Counties South fixture of the new term against Midsomer Norton tomorrow (3pm) will be an extra special occasion as it brings the curtain down on a 24-hour rugby marathon at Coburg Road.

The county town club’s two-day ‘Rugbyathon’ festival begins today at 5pm and also features a Guinness World Record attempt for the largest number of participants in a game of touch rugby, which starts tomorrow at 6am.

The Midsomer Norton encounter is also the first in charge of Dorchester for new head coach Paul Dunne.

“We are extremely fortunate that Paul has agreed to coach at Dorchester,” said club vice-chairman Martin Bartlett at the time of Dunne’s appointment.

“He was by far the best candidate we interviewed and I have been very impressed with his ideas and views on how he would like carry out his role.

“I know he is looking forward to both pre-season and the competitive season already.”

Tomorrow evening also sees the club hold a charity black tie ball which will be compered by Scott Bemand, the former Bath, Harlequins and Leicester scrum-half who is the current coach of the England women’s team and also helps coach Dorchester’s Under-10s.

Guest speakers include George Chuter (Leicester and England) and Peter Short (Bath and Exeter Chiefs).

Bartlett said: “We have set ourselves a very ambitious challenge which I am confident we will achieve.

“I would like to thank all those that have helped so far, in particular our chosen charities and sponsors who have been very supportive.

“We are always looking for more volunteers so if anyone wants to be involved please let the club know.”

More information can be found at rugbyathon.co.uk and on Facebook by searching ‘RugbyAthon’.