HEAD coach Tim Flower is confident Dorset Dockers will be in the shake-up for promotion from Southern Counties South next season – as he bids to continue the club’s meteoric rise.

Dockers blazed to back-to-back promotions in their first two seasons in existence but look set for a mid-table finish this term.

The Potterne Park outfit were beaten 31-19 by visitors Devizes on Saturday but Flower retained high spirits and said the prospects were bright for the next campaign.

Flower told the Daily Echo: “We competed well when we had a full squad at the start of the season but injuries hit us hard.

“We were winning regularly in the first half of the season and then, unfortunately, we got a bit caught out.

“We are a bit short of our aim of a top-four finish but we are definitely targeting the top half in our first year in Southern Counties South.

“There are a lot of young guys in the squad who are learning the game and, next year, I really think we are going to be pushing for one of the top spots in the league.”

Devizes started at a furious pace and went 17-0 up thanks to three tries, one of which was converted.

However, the hosts hit back when a cross-field kick from Tommy Keir was collected by Kingsley Agbo before the ball was recycled and Jamie Coyne-Stacey went over in the corner.

Keir added the conversion to make it 17-7 and the deficit was further reduced after the restart.

Dan Mallard made a rapid break and the ball was recycled to Coyne-Stacey who grabbed his second try of the game.

Devizes earned another converted score following a chip over the top but Dockers replied once more when Matt Pieterse touched down for a converted try.

However, with just five points in it, a lapse in concentration from the home side allowed Saddlebacks to cross in the corner, with the extras added.

Dockers II won Dorset & Wilts Three South on Saturday without even getting on the pitch as their trip to Salisbury III was postponed.

Meanwhile, a stirring second-half showing helped Oakmeadians complete the double over Dorset & Wilts One South neighbours East Dorset thanks to a 28-17 victory.

Jason Deverill’s try, converted by Aaron Plant, saw Oaks reduce the arrears after East Dorset had forged 10-0 in front.

Pete Davies then went over and drop-kicked the conversion to give Oaks a deserved 14-10 lead.

Further tries from James Norris and Warren Cooley, both converted by Plant, ensured Oaks would also collect a bonus point.

Oaks: Tatum, Bullock, Norris, Hardwicke, Russell, Maidment, Johnson, Davis, Howitt, Plant, Cooley, Deverill, Patterson, Davies, van Langenhove. Subs: Dorey, Campbell.

Ollie Fisher scored his first try for the club to help Oakmeadians II triumph 22-12 against Dorset & Wilts Three South rivals New Milton III at Meyrick Park.

Henry Parsons and James Dickinson also touched down and Rhys Parker kicked a penalty and two conversions, while Alex Scarlet was named man of the match.