Dorchester head coach Mike Sprules is wary of a Sherborne backlash ahead of tomorrow’s derby date in Southern Counties South (2.30pm).

The fourth-placed county town outfit enjoyed a 27-14 victory when the two rivals last met in October, and Sprules believes fifth-placed Sher will be desperate to settle the score.

First and foremost, Sprules is keeping his fingers crossed that tomorrow’s game defeats the adverse weather conditions of late having seen his side inactive for almost a month now.

He said: “Our pitch was rock solid earlier in the week so we can only hope that Sherborne’s is playable come tomorrow.

“They’ll be keen to avenge the defeat from earlier in the season, plus they’ve got a game in hand on us and they’re only two points below us in the table.

“It’s very tight where we are in the table so this is a game we don’t want to let slip.”

Dorchester’s Rich Bament remains sidelined with an ankle injury but Gareth Biddle is back in contention.

Sprules added: “Apart from Rich’s injury, which is looking like it might be a long-term one, we are pretty much at full strength. Selection is a bit of a headache but it’s a nice problem to have.”

Another Dorset derby takes place at the Brewery Ground as high-flying Bridport entertain rock-bottom Puddletown (2pm) in Dorset & Wilts One South.

The Blues ran out comfortable winners in the last meeting between the two sides – inflicting a punishing 74-3 defeat on the bewildered Villagers.

Coach Paul Ninnim said: “It’s something of a local derby and another big match. I think Puddletown had a lot of injuries when we last played them but they’ll give us a battle up front and it’s important that we continue to defend as well we have done.”

Puddletown captain Dan Udell is keen to bury the ghost of that heavy defeat on October 10.

He said: “We were forced to put out a makeshift side for that match and we certainly paid the price. With no such selection problems this time we’ll have no excuses, and the lads are really looking forward to the challenge.

“Bridport may be top of the league but I’ve warned my players against showing them too much respect. After all, when the whistle goes it’s just 15 versus 15, and if anything, we need the points even more than they do.”

In the same division, Weymouth travel to Oakmeadians Seconds, hoping to overtake their opponents in the process.

The Seasiders currently lie one spot below fourth-placed Oaks, but with a game in hand, and will leapfrog tomorrow’s hosts with victory at Meyrick Park.

However, to do so they must avoid a repeat of the 12-11 defeat at Monmouth Avenue three months ago.

Meanwhile, Swanage & Wareham will also be on a revenge mission tomorrow when they play host to Salisbury (2pm).

The Swans suffered a 48-15 reverse – their biggest loss of the South West One East season – at the hands of tomorrow’s opponents back in October and will be determined to avoid a similar outcome.