DORCHESTER Rugby Club’s senior men’s teams run back into action for the new season as the first team travel to Dorset Dockers in Wadworth 6X Dorset & Wilts One South whilst the A XV entertain Swanage & Wareham Thirds at Coburg Road tomorrow (both 3pm).

With new coach Martin Oxland at the helm, the club are looking to move forward and have a successful season both on and off the pitch. Oxland says consistency is the key.

New captains have been appointed in both the first and A XV alongside new club captain Zach Paton.

James Newsam returns to the role of first-team captain backed up by a new vice-captain, Callum King.

Taking the helm for the A XV is Matt Fry backed by his vice-captain continuing from last season, Laurence Burch.

Also adding to the leadership team is last season’s first-team captain Adam Makepeace, who takes up an assistant coach’s role responsible for the forwards whilst recovering from injury.

With both teams being back in the Dorset & Wilts league system travel is less than last season for the first team which should enable more consistency.

Oxland is keen for the players to compete for places and is keen to see some quick improvements following a good pre-season.

He commented: “With Dockers close to promotion last season and previous fixtures with Dorchester when last in (this division), the opening fixture will provide a good test for both sides.

“(It’s) a fixture we’re really looking forward to and it provides the perfect challenge to assess where we are game-wise, after the work done during pre-season.

“Both first XV and A XV fixtures provide a competitive start to the campaign with an opportunity for players to demonstrate their intentions for the forthcoming season, where it is hoped that we can create healthy competition for places which will give the senior squad strength and depth.

“As always in any season we’ll be hoping we don’t pick up any serious injuries and have consistent player availability to provide us with the continuity needed to have a successful season.”

Club Chairman Nick Hodge is also looking forward to the season.

“I am excited for this season both on and off the pitch,” he said.

“We have much planned as a community club starting with our fireworks display on Saturday, November 2.

“I wish the new captains and coaches the best of luck for this season and look forward to some great results.”

The season started for the club last weekend with both the colts and newly rebranded ladies’ team, Ridgeway Roses, playing Salisbury and Basingstoke respectively.

Colts took a strong 68-0 win under incoming coach Mike Sprules, while the Roses were not quite as successful, losing 90-7. However, Sam Wilson, ladies’ coach said there were many positives to take away from the game.

This weekend also sees the under-14s and under-16s in action tonight welcoming Weymouth and Bridport to Coburg Road.

The under-13s entertain Swanage & Wareham and Wimborne in a three-way pool on Sunday, with all other junior teams training and completing registration.

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