WEYMOUTH & Portland will be aiming to close the gap on the top three in Dorset & Wilts Two South today when they host second-placed Salisbury Seconds at Monmouth Avenue (2.30pm).

Currently fourth in the division, the home side will be without the trio of Ryan Keable-Kinsella, Duncan Bezzant and James Borrington, but coach Paul Harding is looking forward to his side returning to action two weeks since their triumph over Bridport last time out.

“It’s very hit and miss at the moment so it will be good to get a game,” he told Echosport.

“Salisbury are going well and are second in the league, so it will be a tough test for us.

“It will be interesting to see where we are in comparison. I would hope we will put in a good performance but we have a few missing.

“We did some good things against Bridport and we are starting to develop as a side. We are getting a more consistent team out with not quite as many changes than originally.

“I am hoping just to see an improvement on the last game.”

Commenting on the visitors, who overcame the Monmouth Avenue outfit 24-7 on their own patch earlier in the season, Harding added: “It’s half-term as well so I would imagine a few of their university lads will be back.

“I know a bit about their youth set-up through my dealings with the county.

“They have got some really good youngsters, and if they come back and play you never know what you are going to get.

“It will be interesting to see who they travel with.”

In Southern Counties South, Dorchester are bidding for their sixth win of the season when they visit Midsomer Norton today.

Martyn Peel’s side, undone at Frome a fortnight ago, will be looking to put an end to their poor run of form.

Victory for the away side would see them leapfrog their Bath-based counterparts in the table. Midsomer Norton comfortably defeated Bradford-on-Avon 28-3 the last time they were in action.

The top two in the league are also set to clash when Swanage & Wareham take on Salisbury’s first team in a repeat of this season’s Dorset & Wilts Cup final.

Elsewhere in Dorset & Wilts Two South, Puddletown host New Milton Seconds and Swanage & Wareham Seconds take on Wimborne Thirds, while Bridport are away at Ellingham & Ringwood Seconds and Dorchester Seconds entertain East Dorset.

In Dorset & Wilts Three South, bottom side Weymouth & Portland Seconds go to Salisbury Thirds (all 2.30pm).