MARTINSTOWN captain Ed Nichols is urging his side to “start pushing up the table” with a win against Stalbridge at Lower Ashton Farm in the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League tomorrow (1pm).

Nichols’ men have lost their last four games but the opening batsman, who this week received a maiden call-up to the Dorset squad, is pursuing a victory to arrest that trend.

He said: “It’s definitely a big game for us to target. Obviously with it being at home and the confidence of our batting last time it’s certainly a big one.

“At this stage of the season the sooner we can start pushing up the table the better from our point of view. Hopefully we can create an opportunity to get something out of it.”

Martinstown will enjoy their second successive home game and Nichols is expecting another heartening performance with the bat, while also hoping for runs himself.

“We imagine it will be a good track again. I will be looking to get back in the runs again and take the pressure off the bowlers once more.

“(There is) no lack of confidence. We know that against the league leaders (Swanage) we showed that we are a serious cricket team, we just need to get over the line,” he said.

The hosts are set to welcome back Sam Kershaw to their squad, while spinner Ryan Chase is available to play his first match this season after university. Matt Camp is the only confirmed absentee at present.

“Ryan is back from university so that’s a big boost for us in the middle overs. He’s a very handy middle order batter and he’ll probably slot in at six or seven.

“He has a very mature approach, last week I think he’d have been useful,” Nichols said.

Commenting on Stalbridge, Nichols is respectful of the threat such an “established” side poses to his charges this week.

“They are an established team at this level. They have got some talented players. They are not going to be a weak side by any stretch,” he said.

n Martinstown Seconds make the journey to Witchampton Seconds in County Division Five tomorrow.

In a congested mid-table, Martinstown are currently 16 points and five places behind the hosts, who lie in second on 71 points.

But the visitors have a game in hand over their opponents, having only played five games to their six.

dorset funeral plan PREMIER LEAGUE

P W L NR Pts

Swanage 6 6 0 0 114

Broadstone 6 4 2 0 89

Wimborne & Colehill 6 4 2 0 89

Sherborne 6 4 2 0 87

Dorchester 6 3 3 0 75

Stalbridge 6 3 3 0 69

Poole Town 6 2 4 0 62

Shroton 6 2 4 0 57

Martinstown 6 1 5 0 40

Shillingstone 6 1 5 0 29

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