WEYMOUTH captain Harry Mitchell feels the Seasiders’ County Division Two derby against Charlton Down at Redlands today (1.30pm) will provide a “good indicator” for the remainder of the season.

Mitchell’s men won their opening match against Kingston Lacy by 81 runs, while promoted Charlton Down were beaten for the first time since August 2016 by Marnhull.

And Mitchell has his eyes set on a victory against Down, who travel to Redlands for their first away clash of the season.

He told Echosport: “Against Charlton Down it will be a good indicator for the season if we can beat them.

“It will send a marker out for the rest of the league that we’re the ones to beat. We’ve got to be contenders this year and look to win the title.

“It’s bragging rights and we need to make Redlands a fortress.

“Hopefully with them losing their first game they’ll be low on confidence.

“Our confidence is high and is the highest it’s been for years. Lloyd (Beals) and John (Wilson) have added extra life to the team and there’s a buzz in the field – we’re more pumped up.”

Mitchell, who hit a half-century in midweek for Cosmos in the Dorchester Evening League, has also been impressed by the form

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of Paul Collins and Shafeek Urumamcheri.

He said: “We’re making the most of dropping down a league and we’re starting to rebuild the club. It’s finally going in the right direction.

“Shafeek took another two wickets in midweek with his leg spin and over-by-over he’s improving.

“Paul had another 50 and hit three sixes in an over. He’s looking the best I’ve ever seen him and is going to score a lot of runs this year.

“It’s exciting having the older guys and the core of young players that are finally going to bring the club forward.”

Simon Browne and Tom England (both unavailable) and Neil Walton (back) miss out for the Seasiders.

Weymouth: Collins, Womble, Webb, Wilson, Mitchell, Beals, Rathnayake, Guyett, J Sapsworth, Puckett, Urumamcheri