FOLLOWING their great win in the Dorset & Wilts Senior Vase last weekend, Dorchester move straight back into league action tomorrow looking to record a 12th win from 12 games (2.15pm).
The Highwood AG-sponsored outfit welcome local rivals Sherborne Seconds to Surcouf Park in the Wadworth Dorset & Wilts One South.
Last time out, Dorchester ran riot at Warminster to record a crushing 56-14 win over Minety to claim the Vase crown, with James Baker scoring a hat-trick of tries among the county town’s 10.
Going into the New Year sitting at the top of the league, Dorchester will know only too well how much of a threat Sherborne can prove, having only narrowly beaten them 17-12 in the reverse fixture.
Although confidence in the squad is high, head coach Martin Oxland has warned against complacency and laziness – he is pushing his squad hard to raise their game even more.
One of Oxland’s keys this season has been consistency of selection and keeping a core squad together on the pitch.
He hopes to have Chris Elliott available again in the front row and last weekend’s man-of-the-match Charlie Sharpe ready to start in the back row.
Captain James Newsam, along with vice-captain Callum King, will be ready to lead from the front and urge the team to victory at Surcouf Park, and having finally broken the all-time try-scoring record for the club, Baker will no doubt be desperate to increase his tally and score in front of the home crowd.
Dorchester’s Phase 3 Kitchens-sponsored A XV make the short trip to Bridport in their Wadworth Dorset & Wilts Two South fixture against the second-placed side.
Last time out, Bridport won 26-14 against an unsettled Dorchester team, but Matt Fry will be very keen to reverse that score and bring the points home with a more consistent team now. Kick-off is 2.15.
Dorchester’s youth section runs into action as ever on Sunday with teams in Dorset & Wilts cup action.
The under-12s welcome old rivals North Dorset whilst the under-15s & under-16s both lock horns in the quarter-finals with Devizes and Bradford-on-Avon respectively.
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