PUDDLETOWN captain Adam Barrett has encouraged his side to keep the momentum going as they travel to Parley in County Division Two today (1.30pm). 

The Villagers have been the surprise package this season, and currently lie in fourth place in the standings after promotion was clinched last season.

On the contrary, opponents Parley were relegated from Division One in their last campaign, and currently occupy seventh place, 35 points behind Puddletown. 

Despite the difference in league positions, Barrett feels this weekend will be a tough test for his side, admitting he’s expecting a high scoring game.

He said: “I think everyone knows our home pitch at Winfrith is one of the best batting wickets in Dorset, so I am confident we can adapt to a similar pitch at Parley this Saturday.

“The weather has been good all week and is expected to continue for the weekend, so there is certainly some pressure on our bowlers to keep the runs down at stages when we’re struggling to take wickets”

With regards to selection, James Mitchell and Adam Weir are both unavailable this weekend, whilst the division's leading wicket-taker Tom Blair is out for the remainder of the season, due to football commitments with Dorchester Town. 

Barrett added: “Obviously James and Weir were both key contributors in last week's victory, so to have them both missing on the same weekend is a big blow.

“Blair has been quality for us during the first half of the year of the season, and we were lucky to have him for as many games as we did. 

"He is still planning on playing some evening league matches when he’s available though, including the Knockout Cup final tonight.”

Puddletown: Stevens, Gage, Allen, Snow, Barrett, Crabb, Chaldecott, Morris, Eastment, Macbean, Thomson

Last Saturday, Puddletown made it three wins on the bounce as they overcame a strong Blandford side by 52 runs to move within eight points of County Division Two leaders Beaminster. 

After an uncontested toss, Blandford captain Ryan White decided to field on what looked to be a deviant wicket. Puddletown started strongly as Lucas Allen (31) peppered the leg side boundary. 

Meanwhile, Alby Stevens (62) continued his fine form, finding the gaps in the field regularly with an array of delicate nudges. 

It was opening bowler Andy Lawrence (1-26) that broke through, trapping Allen plumb lbw. 

Batting at three, the classy James Mitchell (70) entered the crease and a selection of sumptuous shots saw him reach his half-century in rapid fashion. 

After the fall of Stevens, captain Adam Barrett quickly built a partnership with Mitchell which saw the pair begin to score freely on the quick outfield. 

Barrett (69) took full advantage of some short bowling from the spinners, reaching his 50 from just 24 balls. 

After both Barrett and Mitchell were dismissed late on by White (2-53), Puddletown closed on 250-5, their highest score of the season so far. 

The Blandford chase did not get off to the brightest of starts when Tom Blair (1-32) struck early on, removing Tim Margetson (2) caught by Mitchell at cover. 

Shortly after, Callum Chaldecott (2-40) bowled James Woodruff (0) which left Blandford in further trouble. 
After a shaky start, Blandford started to rebuild thanks to Tom Walters (42) and Gus Mitchell (43), the pair dispatching anything wide to the boundary. 

However, Adam Weir (2-26) clean bowled both batsmen during a spell of suffocating bowling. 

Left-arm spinner Rob Snow (2-36) continued the attack as he removed Jamie Mitchell (15) with a tremendous caught and bowled.

Bowler Mike Hoffmann (0-26) proved difficult to get away as he bamboozled the batsmen with his multiple variations. Fittingly it was club legend Steve Chaldecott (3-19) that sealed the game with some lethal yorkers. 
Speaking to Echosport, Barrett said: “All of the top four made 30-plus runs which put us in a really good position. 

“Alby was quality yet again at anchoring the innings, whilst James smashed it to all parts and looked very good for his 70.

“Of course, it’s nice to win three on the spin, but it’s important we stay focused and take each game as it comes. 

“I am sure there will be lots of twists and turns before the end of the season, so we just need to worry about our own performances and see where that leaves us at the back end of the season.”