SEAN Walbridge has welcomed Dorset's return to Sherborne School after an absence of almost a decade when they entertain Lincolnshire in the MCCA Trophy tomorrow (11am).
But he will be aiming for a different result than the last time Dorset played at the popular picturesque north-western county venue.
That was in May, 1999, when Cornwall triumphed by 37 runs in an ECB 38-County Cup tie after Dorset - with Walbridge in their side - were dismissed for 161 chasing the visitor's target of 198-6 for victory.
Dorset go into the encounter needing a win as Lincolnshire top group four after beating Cambridgeshire by one wicket off the last scheduled delivery of a thrilling game at Woodhall Spa last weekend.
Walbridge's side have one point from a washed out game at Wales with the Principality also taking a point.
Buckinghamshire are also in the group and get their fixtures underway tomorrow with a home clash against Wales at Slough.
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The top two in the group will qualify for the quarter-finals.
Walbridge said: "It's great to take the county game back to the western side of the county.
"It's great for our supporters and I hope they will come out and support us tomorrow."
Walbridge added: "It's good for our sponsors SEC because they are based in the west and it will be great for us to play on a lovely ground.
"A lot of the guys haven't played at Sherborne School and we are looking forward to it.
"Alan Willows, our new coach and a former Dorset player, is cricket master at the school and it's great for him we are playing twice there this year.
"Everyone knows we aren't able to play at Dean Park in the early months of the season because Bournemouth University are using the ground, and it is through Alan's connections that we are taking the county game back to Sherborne School."
Dorset also host Buckinghamshire at Sherborne on June 1 in the trophy, and successful stagings could pave the way for the county to return to Dorchester for one-day matches next season.
Looking ahead to the Lincolnshire clash, Walbridge said: "We have lost our first group game to the weather, so we have to hope the weather will be good to us tomorrow.
"We are desperately keen to get going and play some cricket and build on the work we did over the winter.
"If we can get the ball in the right areas and build partnerships with the bat, we will give ourselves every chance of winning the game."
Glyn Treagus returns from unavailability for tomorrow's game and Jimmy Adams is included in a 12-man squad, but is "uncertain of his availability due to his Hampshire commitments", said Walbridge.
Dorset: (from) Treagus (Bashley), Adams (St Cross), Lawes (Weymouth), Cowley (Bourne-mouth), Selwood (Finchley), C Park (Northampton Saints), N Park (Bourne-mouth), Arshad (Broadstone), Hicks (Farnham), Belt (Dorchester), Metcalfe (Totton and Eling), Kitzinger (Toft).
n For the record, the Dorset side last on duty at Sherborne School against Cornwall in 1999 was Rintoul, Thurgood, D Miller, Reynolds, Stuart, N Cowley, M Miller, Pyman, E Elliot-Square, Walbridge, Forshaw.
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