DORKING have left themselves in the perfect position going into the Christmas break and the tough run of fixtures that follow.
The rugby season takes two weekends off over Christmas, but when they return to action, the Big Field outfit can look forward to a mouthwatering run of games against second-placed Barnes, fifth-placed Tonbridge Juddians and third-placed Bishop's Stortford.
Sitting atop the National League Three London standings at Christmas, having won 13 and lost just one of their 14 matches thus far, that is a run of fixtures that could define Dorking's season.
Director of rugby Richie Andrews said: "They are big games, you can't get away from that, but every game is heading that way because the more Barnes stay in contact the less we can afford to slip up.
"We are there to be shot at now and it's vital that we play to the best of our abilities every week."
It is so close at the top with just five points separating the top three and Andrews is aware that the smallest of slip-ups can change the whole complexion of the promotion race.
He added: "TJs have dropped down, Stortford didn't get a bonus point at the weekend so if we lose a couple of those games in January we will slip right out of it.
"On the other hand if we win all three we will pull a bit of a gap out. It's three fixtures against teams that are putting us under pressure. Barnes won't like us being top and them being second and TJs will be smarting from the 50 points we put on them at their place."