FOLLOWING their last win at Yeovil, Dorchester’s first team move into the New Year and closing part of the season in good spirits and hoping for a push up the table.

Tomorrow, they entertain bottom side Avonvale in the Counties One Tribute Southern South (2pm).

Although the squad still has a few injuries, most notably to its captain Steve Tucker, both Jack Adams and Alex Peel are back in contention for selection.

The experienced trio of Dave Cottell, Tom Gower, and Jamie Morgan all start and, with over 600 appearances between them, this may prove valuable to the squad as they aim for back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

READ MORE: Yeovil 0-78 Dorchester - report

Morgan is currently heading towards a personal points tally of 500 and has surpassed the landmark of 50 tries for the club recently. Brad Mullins will again captain the team in Tucker’s absence, and with Tom Louch now back from injury he will add his presence from the bench.

The county town outfit currently sit seventh in the table and, even with the full five points haul from a bonus-point victory, they will need to string together a run of results to move above Royal Wootton Bassett, who they travel to them in their next fixture.

Saturday’s opponents sit at the foot of the table, having won only one game so far this season, although they have some close results where maybe they should have picked up the full points on offer.

Dorchester director of rugby, Martin Oxland, said: “The squad has gained some well-earned confidence after running in 12 tries against Yeovil, but we know Avonvale can be an unpredictable side so the message this week is to take nothing for granted and work hard to earn the right to walk off the field as winners.

“As we have seen this season, any lapse in focus and concentration can see you on the wrong side of a positive outcome, if we can gain control early and maintain a level of intensity and concentrate for the whole game, then we will be hoping to get that positive outcome.”

Divisional rivals Weymouth & Portland visit Sherborne, while Bridport travel to Blandford in Counties Two Tribute Dorset & Wilts South.

Elsewhere, Dorchester A travel to Greenfields to take on Puddletown in a return Counties Three Tribute Dorset & Wilts South league match (2pm).

Last time out, the county town outfit narrowly overcame the Villagers and another tight game is expected this time.

Jamie Jackson will take a strong squad to face the second-placed side, knowing his team need to string together a run of results to move off the foot of the table, having had some availability issues this season.

Finally, Dorchester Gladiators are scheduled to meet Swanage & Wareham Thirds at Bestwall Road in their Dorset & Wilts Matrix One fixture (2.15pm).

Gladiators won the reverse fixture back in October and no doubt this will be another spirited encounter between the two sides.