Puddletown will look to return to winning ways when North Dorset travels south to Greenfields later today.
Despite last weekend's loss, the start of the season can only be viewed as a success for the Villagers, with four wins in five matches ahead of the mid season break.
Making the trip to Greenfields this weekend are North Dorset IIs, a team with some familiar faces.
Lucas Frizzle, former fly half at Puddle, is a regular feature for the Badgers this season whilst utility player Sam Pomeroy has been plagued with injury and is unlikely to make an appearance.
The Badgers come looking for their first win of the season when they travel to Greenfields, the Gillingham-based side have gone winless in their opening five games so far.
Puddle’s side for Saturday comes with some changes. Rhys Jenner and Dylan Trevor are unavailable as is full back Alex Kley and winger Eli Honner who has returned to Australia.
The Piddle Valley side will however welcome back top try scorer James Elwood and captain Tom Yeatman who were unavailable last week. They come back into the fold alongside speedster Hugo Wallington who has been out with an eye on load management.
Searching for some bouncebackability within his side, coach Jacob Holt believes his men have what it takes to leave last weekend behind them.
He said: “It’s a new opportunity for the men in red. I’m very excited for this team to express what we’re about.
“Once again the team dynamic is slightly different. The return of captain Yeatman and Elwood in the centres will add leadership and direction. Hugo Wallington stumbles back in with his chronicle bad knees, no doubt he’ll light the pitch on fire and come crawling off.
“We’re still improving week-on-week and I’m happy with the trajectory. Even instant noodles take a minute.”
Echoing his thoughts is back rower Harry Mortimer: “The profound disappointment in the performance and result of last weekend is testament to just how impressive the start to this season has been for us.
“The thirst for the chance to put on a better showing was apparent immediately after the game and opportunity knocks again on Saturday in the form of North Dorset IIs, to paraphrase the Irish great Ronan O’Gara - l’opportunité est énorme.”
Over Saturday’s matchday the club will be holding its annual charity day in aid of Ducks & Drakes.
Ducks & Drakes was founded to help save lives and promote well-being by raising awareness of cancer and specifically bowel cancer in young people, aged 18 to 30 in Dorset and the UK.
The club will be auctioning off playing jerseys following the match to raise funds for the charity.
The game at Greenfields today kicks off at 3pm.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here