DORCHESTER skipper Martyn Richards says his players have "set their sights on winning the title" in their forthcoming Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League campaign.
The county town outfit gained promotion to the top flight last year but with some strong acquisitions made in the close season, including Dorset all-rounder Dan Belt, Dorchester are aiming for more than just survival.
Richards, whose team get their season underway this Saturday against Bland-ford at the Rec (1.30pm), said: "We're going to be the same as any team in the league in that when we turn up to play on a Saturday lunchtime we will be aiming to win that game.
"We've got the players who can win matches for us and we are setting our stall out to see what we can achieve.
"The players have set their sights on winning the league. Sherborne, after going up the previous year, went straight back down last summer and we are hoping to vastly improve on that. We are confident of causing a few surprises."
Richards' men are also looking forward to the prospect of two fixtures against arch-rivals Weymouth, the first of which will be on May 17 at Redlands.
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He added: "We picked out May 17 as soon as we saw the fixture list and we're all looking forward to the first competitive derby in four years. I'm confident that with a full strength side we'll cause an upset."
Recent signings Belt, New Zealander Shannon Dunnett, batsman Lee Haynes and former Bridport captain Paul Tweddle have been joined by a fifth new face - bowler Adam Iyer.
Of his winter acquisitions, Richards said: "In friendlies Dan has only featured with the bat and hit 47 against Street before it was rained off. He's not bowled for us yet but he is looking good in the nets.
"Lee is an opening batsman and scored well at Bredon over the weekend during our Cheltenham tour, he looked very assured. Shannon bowled very well last Saturday and I'm sure he'll have an economical year for us.
"Paul hasn't featured yet due to the weather and him not being able to come on tour with us, but he's had an impact as a coach already. Everyone's bedding in nicely.
"Adam played at Street and is a left-arm spinner. He's a friend of batsman Pete Moxom and he will add great balance to our attack, we've lacked a quality spinner in recent years."
Against Bredon, Dorchester finished with 166-8 from 40 overs but lost by five wickets, with five overs to spare, to their Gloucestershire hosts. The county town club's other friendly tie, against Poole, was a complete washout.
FIXTURES
May 3 Blandford (h), 10 Suttoners (a), 17 Weymouth (a), 24 Wimborne & Colehill (h), 31 Broadstone (a). Jun 7 Parley (h), 14 Compton House (a), 21 Poole Town (h), 28 Wayfarers (a). Jul 5 Blandford (a), 12 Suttoners (h), 19 Weymouth (h), 26 Wimborne & Colehill (a). Aug 2 Broadstone (h), 9 Parley (a), 16 Compton House (h), 23 Poole Town (a), 30 Wayfarers (h).
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