Dorchester host Frome tomorrow (2.30pm), hoping to leapfrog their opponents in the Southern Counties South table.
Head coach Martin Oxland, whose side sit two spots and one point below the fouth-placed visitors, said: “There’s no reason why we can’t win. If we do then we will go above Frome in the table.
“We’ll be looking to take the confidence from Saturday’s win against Devizes into tomorrow. We also need the backs to be a bit more clinical as the forwards are scrummaging really well.
“We have got a few missing but those coming in are more than capable of doing a job.”
Matt Read is out with a fractured collarbone while Toby Waddington and Tom Bamlet are both unavailable.
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Devizes are the visitors to Coburg Road tomorrow (2.30pm) as Dorchester aim to avoid a third straight defeat in Southern Counties South.
The county town side have suffered back-to-back reversals at the hands of Dorset rivals Sherborne and Wimborne.
But after a week’s break, Martin Oxland’s men will no doubt be fully refreshed for tomorrow’s encounter.
Dorchester travel to near neighbours Wimborne for another Dorset derby in Southern Counties South (3pm).
However, they will be seeking a more positive outcome than last weekend’s 13-9 defeat at home to Sherborne.
Oxland gunning for leaders Sherborne
SOUTHERN Counties South’s best defence comes up against the best attack tomorrow as Dorchester prepare to host near neighbours Sherborne (3pm).
The county town outfit have conceded the fewest amount of points this season – 37 from four games – while tomorrow’s visitors have amassed 186 points in the same period.
Despite their impressive record, Dorchester sit mid-table, five places below table-topping Sherborne.
However, Martin Oxland is quietly confident his men can ruin the leaders’ 100 per cent record.
The head coach, whose side crashed out of the Dorset & Wilts Vase last weekend, said: “If we remain fully focused and play with the intensity we showed in spells against North Dorset, this could be another close encounter as both fixtures proved last season.
“If we attack with the same intent and attitude we show when defending, I’m confident we can get something from the game.”
Dorchester will be boosted by the return of skipper Dave Gower – making his first league start of the campaign.
Oxland added: “I’m hoping the return of Dave will provide us with a seamless link between backs and forwards, which should provide us with continuity going forward, allowing us to play the way we want to.”
Oxland takes reins at Dorchester
Martin Oxland has been announced as Mike Sprules’ successor to the Dorchester hot-seat.
The former Tiverton and Exeter fly-half has been part of the county town side’s coaching staff this season and is now ready to take the reins following Sprules’ decision to step down as head coach.
And the latter believes the former is perfect for the role.
He said: “Martin’s been with us for a year as the backs coach and life will be made a bit easier for him because he is already settled with the players, so it’s not someone they have to get used to.
“He knows how the club is run, he is a very knowledgeable guy and he will fit in well.
“We have one or two guys coming to the senior part of their careers so if Martin can pick up a couple more players it will be very beneficial as it’s handy to have strength in depth.”
Sprules leaves his post after three seasons, in which Dorchester won promotion from Dorset & Wilts One South at the first attempt and consolidated their position in Southern Counties South.
Reflecting on his tenure, Sprules added: “It’s been enjoyable and it was lovely to get the club back to Southern Counties South at the first opportunity.
“It was somewhat galling to have to go to places like Sherborne Seconds and Wimborne Seconds when we had always been on a par with those clubs at first-team level.
“That helped drive me on to get them back up straight away as I felt we were better than that.”
This season’s charge ended with a 27-19 defeat at home to high-flying North Dorset – a loss that confirmed a sixth-place finish for the Coburg Road outfit.
Sprules said: “It was a really good game to finish with, it was just unfortunate the result didn’t go our way. We played well, but as usual we were slow to start.”
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