WITH the league season over, Dorchester were today due to entertain Kingsbridge in the Papa John’s Community Cup.

The Devonian outfit play at the same level in the Counties One Tribute Western West league, finishing fourth in the table.

Sadly however, the county town side have had to forfeit the game due being unable to field a side.

With several injuries at the end of the season, and some unavailability, the team do not have enough front-row available along with some other key forward positions.

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All is not lost for the club though, as the successful Colts side are travelling to Royal Wootton Bassett to play in the Dorset & Wilts Vase final (2pm).

It has been a year of transition for the Colts, under a new structure lead by the director of rugby Martin Oxland.

From the playing squad of 22 for tomorrow’s fixture at Wootton Bassett, 14 have played senior rugby this year for the Gladiators, A XV, and first team, including both senior and junior colts. So, they will be ready for this age group challenge and prepared to put their all into the match.

This season the side have played well and become a very well bonded team digging out wins in tough games.

This is the perfect way to end a season with the possibility of winning some silverware for the club. In the home fixture against tomorrow’s opponents, Dorchester came out narrow winners.

Under-16s lead coach Dan Kinsey and forwards coach Gavin Raines will be joining colts head coaches Tony O’Connell and colts strength and conditioning lead Joe Worrall, along with Dave Clark as a specialist backs coach, next year is looking very positive for the group.

This season’s ever present first-aider, Ruth Davis, will also travel with the team.

Regardless of the result, there will be mixed emotions for Mark Cope and Colin Senior who have been with the senior colts through their various age groups and will be stepping down at the end of the season.

Long-standing team manager Emma Lambourn is also stepping down to spend more time with her husband John, former fixture secretary, at his second love, Reading FC.

Next weekend, the under-16s play their Dorset & Wilts Cup final at Surcouf Park against Bournemouth to end their season.