JAMES Croker insists the "door is open" for Mike Richards to return to the Meyrick Park club.

Back row forward Richards crossed the divide to Bournemouth over the summer and played on the blindside for Lions in their 48-8 pre-season defeat against Richmond at Chapel Gate on Saturday.

And new coach Croker admits Oaks will "miss" Richards when they kick off their Southern Counties South campaign against Oldfield Old Boys at Meyrick Park tomorrow (3pm).

Croker said: "Mike wanted to play up a couple of leagues and I'd never hold anyone back. We've left the door open for him and good luck to him.

"If it doesn't work out for him, he's more than welcome to come back.

"We'll miss him because he was a regular last year, but I'm more than confident that we have a squad capable of putting in a good bid for promotion this year."

Hayden Hokianga has been named captain of the Meyrick Park outfit this year, leaving last season's skipper Jack Hennings to concentrate on his duties at number six.

Fijian Sevi Kurewaka has returned from the forces and will line up on the wing for Oaks this term, while Croker is awaiting the arrival of Combined Services open-side Rory Thompson, who will link-up at Meyrick Park next month.

Oaks: (from) Riley, Stevenson, Tarrett, Hudson, Raulineau, Hemmings, Strudwick, Hokianga, Harmon, Cook, Waqa, Mortobotolo, Tait, Peterson, Morgan, Reed, P Stevenson, Wharton.

ELSEWHERE in Southern Counties South, Wimborne kick-off their campaign against Sherborne at Leigh Park (3pm).

The All Blacks look set to hand a league debut to back row forward Andy Davey, who joined the Leigh Park outfit from Oakmeadians over the summer.

North Dorset, meanwhile, travel to Frome (3pm).

Wimborne: (from) Tinsdale, Murphy, Moore, Warfolk, Jorden, Davey, Atkins, Hicks, Llewellyn, Roberts, Chapman, K Lynch, Huggins, Stephens, Hymers, R Lynch, Lennon, O'Bryan.

IN South West Two East, Swanage and Wareham will be looking to improve on last year's fifth-place finish.

Robert Elford takes on the captain's duties from Phil Graves for the forthcoming campaign as Swans open up with a trip to Reading Abbey (3pm), who were relegated from South West One last season.

Swans: (from) Andrews, R Elford, Rance, Penney, Lewis, Steeden, Warren, M Elford, McKeown, Harris, Getheart, Grove, Graves, Price-Smith, Wilcox, Jones, Burgess, Roberts.

IN Dorset and Wilts One South, Wimborne travel to Puddletown and Bournemouth Nomads visit Warminster.

Swanage and Wareham host Frome at Bestwall, while Blandford head west to Bridport.