Weymouth & Portland Rugby Club kick off their 22/23 Dorset & Wilts Division 1 South season at home on Saturday against visitors East Dorset Dockers – kick off 15:00.
The Seahorses have undergone some changes to their squad during the close season, former captain Dave Oaksford and Matt Savage have both decided to hang up their boots. Ryan Lewendon is trying his luck at Southern Counties side Yeovil, Rory Legg injured his ankle in pre season training, and will be out for some time, and Facundo has returned to Bath University.
However, on Facundo’s recommendation one of his uni team mates, Ralf Green, has joined the club as have James Newson and Louis Allan.
It will be new skipper Billy Hayne’s first game at the helm and he will be hoping to kick off with a victory.
In the same division Puddletown host Oakmedians and Swanage & Wareham A XV entertain Lytchett Minster.
In Southern Counties south Dorchester play hosts to newly promoted Blandford & Swanage & Wareham play Frome A at Bestwall.
In football Dorchester travel to Swindon Supermarine for the second time in a week, this time for an FA Cup tie, while Weymouth visit Winchester City also for an FA Cup tie and it will be new manager Bobby Wilkinson’s first opportunity to see his young charges in action.
In the Wessex League, Portland play Moneyfields at Grove Corner while Bridport entertain Dartmouth in the South West Peninsular league.
On Sunday Weymouth women’s team play AEK Boco Ladies First at the Bob Lucas Stadium kick off 14:00.
Also on Sunday the Weymouth Iron Man 70.3 takes place with the event starting at 07:15 on Preston Beach with a 1.2 mile swim and finishing in front of the Pavilion during the afternoon.
Story and photos – Idris Martin. (Click photos to enlarge)
