DORCHESTER captain James Dunham believes “adapting” to Cattistock & Symene’s home ground will be a big factor for the county town side tomorrow (1.30pm).

Dunham’s men are looking to seal first place in Dorset ‘Thank You NHS’ League Division One Group A, setting up a potential play-off next weekend with the winners of Group B.

Testing conditions against the Foxes await, with small boundaries providing a polar opposite to the vast expanse of Dorchester Rec.

“With the dimensions of the ground, it does need to be taken into consideration,” Dunham told Echosport.

“You can only look to (restrict) their attacking players. We’ll stick to what we do and believe, but there’s room for change this week.

“It’s understanding that we’d go for a few more runs than we normally would.

“The difference between our ground and theirs is quite significant. It’s just adapting, really.

“That’s where home advantage comes in, but I’m sure we’ll pick it up quite quickly.”

Dorchester are without experienced batsmen Jim Ryall and Eral Anderson, with Will Caldwell and Scott Peach coming in.

Dorchester: W Caldwell, Peach, Carty, Mitchem, J Caldwell, McKay, Barrett, Richardson, Roe, Thompson, Dunham.

Should Dorchester slip up against the Foxes, Martinstown could win the group if they outscore the reigning Premier League champions by 14 points.

Sam Kershaw’s men travel to Bere Regis, who could claim an unlikely top place with an 18-point gain over Dorchester.

On Bere, Kershaw said: “They’ve put together quite a good side and had a good few performances in this mini league.

“It’s an interesting little ground again – similar to Portland and Cattistock. It can get away from you pretty quickly.

“If we can keep on top of that, I’ve got full confidence we’ll come away with the win.

“Dorchester will probably finish top again but it would be good progress for us to come second. A few things have clicked into place and it would be good to finish with a win.”

Meanwhile, Bere captain Brian Keegan is simply targeting a winning finish to the group fixtures.

“We’d like to have a positive end,” he said.

“We know Martinstown quite well but we’ll concentrate on doing the basics right. We dropped six or seven catches last Saturday.

“If we can eradicate that it will go an awful long way to making life easier.”

He added: “A couple of them, if they’d been taken, would be screamers. But there were a couple in there where it’s in-hand then spills out. If you keep giving players chances, you’re going to pay for it.”

All-rounder Rich Payne is unavailable, but opening bowler Crispin Brown returns.

Martinstown’s Jenson Stewart is rewarded for strong second-team form with a call-up, but Fraser Hill and Teddy Andrews are unavailable. Ryan Blair comes in for Finlay Williams.

Bere: M King, S Goodhew, Murphy, T Goodhew, Proffitt, Rich Cole, Griffiths, Brown, Rogerson, Walbridge, Keegan.

Martinstown: Nichols, W Maltby, White, S Williams, Kershaw, Ja Stewart, Camp, Rimmer, Blair, Je Stewart, Durant.

In the final Group A clash, Portland Red Triangle host Sherborne looking for their first win of 2020.

Islanders’ skipper Matt Randell said: “This week we’re searching for a good performance and the win. The only thing we’re talking about is us winning.

“We’re going to go with a positive approach and bring in a couple of players that add to that line-up.

“We’ve played (Sherborne) on Sundays and they’ve not travelled well. It’s a long way and the pitch isn’t going to be what they’re used to playing on. Hopefully we can use the advantage.”

Chris Leake is self-isolating with his partner displaying flu-like symptoms, while Randell continues to nurse a minor leg niggle.

Portland will choose from a squad of 12, with Dave Adkins missing out and both Callan Laws and Tim Forshaw in contention.

Portland (from): Randell, Whisker, Price, Laws, Theakstone, Midgley, Samuel, Forshaw, M Barrett, S Barrett, Mihell, Cameron.

In Division Two, Weymouth travel to Beaminster looking to cement third place with a third straight victory.

Seasiders’ skipper Harry Mitchell said: “Beaminster are a good bunch, they’re well led by Ross (Baker) and have got some good players.

“They’ve got a similar setup to us with some good players and a promising young side. On top of that, it’s a nice place to play with a proper pitch.

“With the make up of our side (attacking) is how we play, our batters score quickly.

“If the seamers can carry on where they left off last week, we’re well-placed going into the game.”

Meanwhile, Baker is expecting a tough game.

“Weymouth have always got a strong bowling attack, there’s no weakness so we’ve got to bat well and see off the new ball better than we have so far.

“Batting-wise, they’ve got talent at the top of the order. Dom Webb’s scored runs against us previously.

“We know we need to strike early. We’ve got a decent side out, so we’ve got plenty of options with the ball.

“We’re lacking a potent strike bowler but we’ve got enough experience there to hopefully take regular wickets.

“Our focus will be on the new ball and taking early wickets.”

Beaminster welcome back Simon Jones, Lewis Keenan and Nick Hollely with Henry and Will Everitt missing out along with Ben Hollely.

For Weymouth, brothers Pete and Jack Sapsworth come in for John Wilson and Manoj Somaratne.

Beaminster: Park, Baker, Crawford, Jones, Keenan, A Moss, Runyard, Persey, Bareham, N Hollely, W Moss.

Weymouth: Webb, James, Walton, Beals, Guyett, Mitchell, Rathnayake, P Sapsworth, J Sapsworth, Urumancheri, Puckett.

*All games 1.30pm