DORCHESTER’S senior men’s teams move back into league action this weekend with the first team travelling to near neighbours Oakmeadians, whilst the A XV welcome Oaks’ seconds to Surcouf Park (both 2.15pm).

Still sitting top of the Wadworth 6X Dorset & Wilts One South table, the county town side are currently the target for the other teams in the league to bring down, as the campaign approaches its halfway point.

This weekend’s opponents sit three places below Dorchester but have scored more points than them, however the Bears’ defence has let in over twice as many points as the current league leaders. This will not have gone unnoticed by head coach Martin Oxland.

With training now reduced to once per week over the holiday season, Oxland will leave it late to name the teams but will again try to be consistent with selection to aid each side’s game plans.

Both he and the senior squad captains have mentioned to the players how important availability is and encouraged them to make sure this is noted early in the week to make selection a simple task.

First-team captain James Newsam will miss this game due to concussion whilst fly-half James McKendry has come through his return to play protocol to be available after his recent concussion.

Club captain Zach Paton is also an injury doubt but both Chris Miners and Josh Hosford are available to return to the squad.

Dorchester’s A XV will look to make the most of home advantage and, having had a week off where they were awarded a walkover into the Dorset & Wilts Second XV Shield semi-final, they will be keen to get back on the pitch and climb back up the league table.

Losing narrowly against Poole last time out, they face an Oaks side sitting third and also coming off a loss in their last game to league leaders Bridport.

Matt Fry’s side have looked good in their recent performances and confidence is high in the squad, so he will look to build on this and aim to get the win at home.

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