DORCHESTER captain James Dunham spoke of his respect for the quality of Martinstown ahead of their Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League derby at the Rec tomorrow (1pm).

Both sets of players are familiar with the other having played numerous times with and against their opponents, a factor Dunham believes will add “spice” to the encounter.

He told Echosport: “I guess it’s different when you know each other and each other’s games. They know all of our players as well.

“We know that their top order batsmen can cause some damage and their frontline bowlers can as well, so it does add a bit more spice.”

Second-placed Dorchester beat title rivals Poole Town last time out, but feels anything less than a victory over Martinstown, who lie fifth, could undermine that performance.

He said: “A hundred per cent if we start losing games all the victories this season get devalued.

“We’re looking to finish as high as we can, whether it’s winning the league or finishing second or third.

“Last week was massive but if we get two or three points it doesn’t make that victory look good.”

Martyn Richards and George Foot miss out, with Will McKay and James Caldwell coming in.

Meanwhile, Martinstown captain Ed Nichols feels that the pressure is very much off his side now.

Last time out, the Villagers fell to Bere Regis, but are fifth with no pressure of relegation yet no real prospect of a title challenge either.

Martinstown captain Ed Nichols said: “I think it is almost a free-hit for us.

“They are up there in the title stakes so there is probably more pressure on the home side.

“We would like to pick up more results and finish as high up in the table as we can but equally there is no huge great stakes for us so we can enjoy our cricket and see how we get on.”

“We are looking on the positives and will focus on enjoying the last month of the season.

“I think at the end of the day we have come into the last month of the season now.

“It is important people just enjoy their cricket really, that is the most important thing at this stage.

“We will just enjoy whatever the game throws at us.”

Dorchester: W Caldwell, Morris, Mitchem, Anderson, McKay, Belt, Richardson, Dunham, J Caldwell, Roe, Walklett

Martinstown: Nichols, Pope, Williams, Maltby, Kershaw, Andrews, Stewart, Camp, Read, Coombes

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