THIS afternoon, Dorchester head into their last home game before the festive break (2pm).

Their opponents for the Counties One Tribute Southern South match are Bath-based Walcot, who won 48-10 back in September in a strong showing.

Director of rugby, Martin Oxland, has an ever-growing list of injuries which now includes team captain Steve Tucker (ankle) after last Saturday’s match against league leaders Sherborne.

He is also without Jimmy Louch in the squad and is hoping that the try-scoring partnership of Cohen Emery and Jamie Morgan come through late fitness tests.

READ MORE: Sherborne 50-22 Dorchester - report

With Tucker out, influential scrum-half Jack Hayward steps up to the role having been vice-captain thus far this season.

Oxland said: “Jack’s performances as vice-captain have been consistent all season, and I know he will relish this opportunity of leading the team from the front.

“The group have now hit the halfway mark in the season, and we are fully aware of the concentration, physicality, game management and discipline we need to win matches and lift the level of our performances during the match.”

The side know they must make the most of any opportunities they create, and to see out games when those opportunities arise.

Today is the start of the second half of the season and a big performance is called for.

Walcot showed their strength in the last 20 minutes of the game at Albert Field and Oxland is getting his team focused to not let this happen again.

With places to fight for in the starting line-up, the evergreen Tom Gower and Dave Cottell will add experience to the squad and last week’s player of the match, John Bowden, is moved to the back row.

Cohen Emery steps into the fly-half role, whilst Henry Quinney again hopes the force is with him on the bench.

Dorchester sit three places below their visitors in the table, and a win or a bonus point could lift them one place above Combe Down who play league leaders Sherborne.

Walcot have won their last three games whereas Dorchester have slipped up in three close fought games and last weekend put in a creditable performance against the league leaders, coming away with a losing bonus point.

Post-match, the festivities begin in earnest for the Christmas season, as the club hosts its now legendary Christmas jumper party with music from Aural Pleasure, DJ Mark Ado. All are welcome to celebrate and join the party.