SATURDAY’S Ridgeway Rumble between Weymouth & Portland and Dorchester has been cancelled due to safety fears.

The Seahorses had been beset by injury problems, with several injuries in their forward pack forcing a difficult call on the viability of the game.

Governing body the RFU has ruled that Simon Litster’s men will not lose any points over the decision to cancel the game.

Weymouth’s head coach Simon Lister wished leaders Dorchester well in their quest for promotion.

He said: “Unfortunately this decision had to be taken for safety reasons. Due to several injuries we found ourselves with only one prop available so the game could not go ahead.

“Dorchester were very understanding of our plight and agreed to cancel, the SW RFU administration also agreed that the game could be cancelled without Weymouth & Portland losing valuable league points.

“With a free Saturday on February 10 we hope our players will have time to recover and get back to full fitness.

“Our aim is to stay in Dorset & Wilts One South.

“A personal thanks to Dorchester for their understanding and we wish them the best of luck in their bid for promotion and also in their cup campaign.”

Dorchester will now concentrate on an A XV fixture at Coburg Road against Wheatsheaf Cabin Boys. A number of fringe players and those who are breaking through to the first XV will gain some extra game time.

Liam Kershaw will continue his welcome return to action starting at hooker and newcomer to the club Mark Picton will start at tighthead prop.

Picton has already earned the nickname “Tank”with his defence-destroying performances and his recent man of the match performance against Blandford. Harry Dunning and Jack Ward start following good performances off the bench, while the influential Alex Peel returns from concussion at fly-half.

The action at Coburg Road starts tomorrow night as the third XV Gladiators put and experienced squad out to face North Dorset in a bid to reverse the score from the fixture earlier in the season (7.30pm).

Elsewhere, Bridport face Dorset Dockers at the Brewery Ground in Dorset & Wilts One South.

* Dorchester’s junior section take over on Sunday with the under-13s welcoming Yeovil to the club whilst the 14s, 15s and 16s look to overcome Frome, Wimborne and Chippenham respectively.

* Dorchester Weymouth and Portland Ladies lock horns with Oakmeadians on Sunday afternoon at Monmouth Avenue kicking off at 2pm.

* Both Dorchester and Weymouth will have the 6Nations games live on the big screen at their clubhouses this weekend, starting with Wales v Scotland at 2.15pm on Saturday afternoon.