Dorchester hand debut to rising talent Brandon King

King and Jack Owens come into a Dorchester side bidding to maintain their perfect start to the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League season.

Back-to-back champions Dorchester earned impressive wins over expected title rivals Poole and Wimborne but face a tricky challenge at 2017 winners Broadstone.

Vice-captain Nick Roe told Echosport: “Will’s out and Jack comes back in. James Caldwell is out and Brandon comes up from the seconds.

“Brandon’s worked really hard in pre-season and has been training well, so we’re excited to have him as part of the team.

“He’s not been playing too long but he played the T20 final for us and put himself about.”

Roe added: “Broadstone have been on the wrong side of a result the last couple of weeks and got bowled out for under 100 against Martinstown.

“We’ll be looking to capitalise on that but it’s going into every week level-headed and trying to take it as a new week.

“The boys are all in a good mood after last week, so we’ll try and ride off that wave.”

Dorchester: Ryall, Owens, Peach, Anderson, Mitchem, Belt, Legg, Richardson, Barrett, King, Roe.

Martinstown are also looking to extend their 100 per cent start to the season at home to Sherborne tomorrow (1pm).

Town skipper Sam Kershaw said: “The main focus is on ourselves – we don’t worry about who we play at the moment.

“We’re expecting probably the toughest test we’ve had this season, so we’re raring to go.”

He added: “Home form is key to any season. We had a great start last week and if we can keep that momentum going we’ll be pretty happy.

“I don’t see why we can’t stay at the top of the league and keep challenging.”

Ryan Blair, Charlie Andrews and John Stewart miss out – the latter through Bath Rugby commitments – with Tao White, Jacob Coombs and Ben Wylie coming in.

Martinstown: Kershaw, Gerety, W Maltby, S Williams, White, Wylie, Hill, Ja Stewart, Coombs, Trotter, Durant.

John Stewart, centre right, misses out for Martinstown Picture: NEIL WALTON

Elsewhere in the top flight, Bere Regis host Cattistock & Symene tomorrow (1pm).

Bere skipper Brian Keegan, who names an unchanged side, knows the Foxes well from his time in Dorchester Evening League cricket.

He said: “We had a close game against them last year and ended up winning by one wicket.

“We’re under no illusions they’re going to come to us and look for a result.

“We’ve got to do what we didn’t do first game of the season and bat an awful lot better, just worry about our own game.

“The actual batting line-up is there and goes deep, but it’s about taking responsibility and batting in partnerships.

“We did neither against Martinstown.”

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

Bere main sponsor: Booth Gadenne

Cattistock make one change to their line-up, with wicketkeeper Leo Gurd coming in for the absent Steve Tucker.

Foxes: Damen, Gurd, Wallbridge, Bradley, Toohill, B Mullins, A Mullins, O Legg, Golledge, Baker, Stewart.

In County Division One, Weymouth travel to much-fancied Stalbridge tomorrow (1.30pm) following their rain-hit clash with Puddletown last week.

Seasiders’ skipper Harry Mitchell said: “Teams coming down from the Prem are usually the team to beat.

“We haven’t played them in quite a while and starting off with one rained off and a win against Portland, we’re not really too sure about ourselves yet.

“This week I’m more worried about ourselves, if we can get a good performance in all three disciplines I’ll be happy.

“It’s been in bits and pieces so far this season, so I’m looking for a more rounded performance.”

Weymouth will select a team today following training last night.

Weymouth skipper Harry Mitchell, right Picture: FINNBARR WEBSTER

Weymouth match ball sponsor: Advoco Accountants

Division rivals Portland Red Triangle host Puddletown at Reforne tomorrow (1.30pm) in search of a first win of the season.

Matt Randell’s men have picked up losing bonus points against Weymouth and Swanage but are chasing an elusive victory.

Randell said: “We always want to be positive at home and post big totals, just with the nature of the outfield.

“What’s important this year for some of the lads is that they focus on their own game.

“If they do that, then I know they’re going to score quickly.

“Some of the players in our middle order will score some quick runs and we’ll look to post a big total.”

Portland will make a late call on selection, arising from injuries to Chris Theakstone (ankle), Ryan Price (back), Randell (hamstring) and Joe Adkins (knee).

On last week’s cancellation at Weymouth, opposing skipper Adam Barrett said: “It was a tough decision to make because I think both myself and Harry were really keen to play.

“We arrived at the ground and it was pretty evident that the conditions were not safe for cricket, so ultimately the correct decision was made with the players’ safety in mind.”

Puddletown make two changes from the side that was due to play Weymouth, with Jordan King and Duncan Macbean replacing Rob Snow and Mikey Crabb.

Barrett added: “Both Duncan and Jordan bring us a different option with the bat that we feel will be important when playing Portland.

“They are a good team with the potential to score big totals, so with that in mind it makes sense to pick the extra batsman.”

Puddletown: Macbean, Weir, Mitchell, Barrett, Eastment, Ry Norman, King, Re Norman, D Morris, J Morris, S Chaldecott.

Puddletown match ball sponsor: Phil Titterington

Also in Division One, Beaminster host Compton House tomorrow (1.30pm) looking for their maiden win of the season.

Beaminster: Baker, Spiller, Jones, Park, A Moss, W Moss, Bareham, Hollely, Edmunds, Everitt, AN Other.

Cerne Abbas and captain George Chubb are looking to record their first County Division Two win of the season after a disappointing opening day defeat to promoted side Dorchester Seconds.

Cerne: Chubb, Collinge, Mitchem, Hurford, Stiles, Wilkes, Meech, Portch, Mercer, Downey, AN Other.

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