DAVE Trotter is confident Weymouth Cricket Club is slowly beginning to turn a corner and can only get stronger as the season progresses.

The experienced bowler, who has been in superb form of late, has been impressed by his side’s recent performances but continues to urge those on the fringes to provide more competition for places.

Last weekend the seconds were forced to scratch their game due to injuries and unavailabilities but this week Michael Pearce has named a side that, according to Trotter, possesses several players that are more than capable of pushing for a first-team spot.

He told Echosport: “As a team, we have been playing really well. Everyone is supporting each other and the fact we bat and bowl all the way down gives us the building blocks to adapt to whatever comes in front of us.

“What we need now though is for those in the seconds to really start providing more competition and when you see the likes of Will McKay, Ryan Monk and Ben Doidge in their line-up this week, amongst others, the signs are clearly there that can start happening.

“As a club, I feel we have turned a corner and now we can only get stronger, as long as availability improves.

“If it does and those in the seconds play to their potential on a consistent basis then everyone in the firsts will soon be looking over their shoulders, knowing one bad day could see them lose their place, which is the way it should be.”

The Seasiders, who beat local rivals Dorchester last time out, travel to Dean Park tomorrow (1.30pm) to take on 2009 and 2010 champions Parley. Although Trotter has the utmost respect for the Bournemouth outfit, the challenge does not faze him at all.

He added: “Following last weekend’s victory and the way we have performed over the past few weeks, we will go there full of confidence and looking to win just like we do for every game.

“Over the last few years they have been one of the league’s strongest sides but we are in good form too at the moment so it will be interesting to see what happens.

“It is a bit of a batsman’s paradise up there but if we continue to bowl tight lines and make them play we can then set a field accordingly.

“The key will be not to bowl anything too short and make them drive.

“If we can do that and not give away extras it will help us build pressure and give us every chance.”

Skipper Dean Janaway and Laurie ‘Cube’ Whyte return to the side this weekend at the expense of Doidge and the injured Tim Guyett, who is suffering with a shin problem.

Parley currently lie third in the Dorset Premier League but have lost three of their seven games so far this season.

Weymouth: Ryall, White, Janaway, Payne, England, Womble, M Lawes, Browne, Whyte, Hutchens, Trotter.