PETE Moxom will make his long-awaited return to the Dorchester side tomorrow as Broadstone travel to the county town looking to keep alive their feint hopes of winning the Dorset Premier League.

The visitors, third in the table, still have an outside chance of snatching the title from under the noses of leaders Sherborne and second-placed Poole, but a win at Dorchester Rec this weekend is a must if they want to remain in the hunt.

And they are set to face a much-changed Dorchester team compared to the one beaten by Wimborne & Colehill last Saturday.

As well as Moxom, who is available for the final three fixtures of the season following time in Australia, Will Caldwell, Dan Belt, Dan Morris and George Foot come into the Dorchester line-up.

Sean Fitzgerald, Mike Peak, Joe Power, Tom Caines and Eiron Fitzgerald are the players to drop out.

Commenting on this week’s selection and Moxom’s return, skipper Simon Mitchem said: “Last weekend was a bit of a nightmare really with 13 players unavailable.

“We were really up against it with trying to get two teams out but we had a good go of it against Wimborne and the second team managed to win, so that was good.

“This week we’ve had 25 or 26 players available and we’ve had to turn people away.

“It’s great to have Pete available again, as well as Will and the two Dans.

“Pete is a very good batsman with a lot of experience, and with him back it means we have depth to our batting, which we haven’t always had this year.

"We’ve got a much more well-rounded team this week with a good balance of batting and bowling.”

Meanwhile, Weymouth chairman John Ryan has spoken out to thank clubs in the area for their congratulatory messages after the Seasiders recorded their first Dorset Premier League win in more than a year at Martinstown last week.

The Seasiders, on a 20-match losing streak before prevailing at Lower Ashton Farm, received good wishes from a number of clubs and individuals, including Swanage, who they host at Redlands tomorrow (1pm).

The chairman told Echosport: “There were a lot of goodwill messages from other clubs coming through which was nice. They didn’t have to and it was genuine as well.

“A club like Weymouth shouldn’t be doing handstands over winning one game in the season but I think people realised what our situation was and the difficulties we have had.

“They have been very sympathetic without being condescending.

“Clubs like Swanage, who we are playing this week, and Wimborne were quick to congratulate us and we had other individual messages from other cricketers who are followers.

“Anywhere you went around the town and if you walked into any shop people seemed to know.

“Even fans of the football club, who follow both teams, have been quick to pass on a well done and it was a real monkey off our backs.

“We know we are going to get relegated but, if there was any pressure, it is off us now.”

Now looking for back-to-back wins, Weymouth are set to be without Dean Janaway, Laurie Whyte, Simon Browne, Graham Puckett and Ryan Sers.

Ryan himself is expected to be called up, as is Luke Lovett, Dom Webb and Tony Quayle, while regular skipper Kieron Womble is set to return to lead the Seasiders.

Elsewhere, Martinstown go to title hopefuls Sherborne.

Dorchester first XI match ball sponsor: Acheson Construction