DORCHESTER host unbeaten Sherborne at the Rec tomorrow (1pm) looking to maintain top spot in the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League.
James Dunham’s men beat near neighbours Martinstown by 44 runs in their previous game, but face a different proposition with Sherborne.
Sherborne skipper Josh Lawrence has Somerset Seconds and Surrey Seconds experience, while paceman Rob Wigley helped bat Dorset over the line in their thrilling last-ball win over Cornwall on Sunday.
Dunham is therefore wary of the quality of opposition, telling Echosport: “The league’s obviously a lot stronger this year, which is great.
“Josh could tear any team apart in this league, he’s a very good player and I think he’s on Dorset’s radar. He’s played a very high standard of cricket previously.
“It doesn’t stop with Josh, they bat deep and play regularly together. It’ll be a very good game.
READ MORE: Dorchester sink Martinstown in derby
“We’ve got a target on our backs now and that’s something we’ve earned.
“It doesn’t feel like it’s pressure, we just enjoy playing cricket together.”
Seb Carty misses out but Dorset all-rounder James Caldwell returns. Will Caldwell (work) is unlikely to feature regularly this season.
Dorchester: Ryall, J Caldwell, Anderson, Mitchem, Legg, Belt, Owens, Morris, Barrett, Dunham, Roe.
Dorchester Seconds visit Blandford in County Division Two tomorrow (1.30pm).
Elsewhere, Martinstown are looking to get back on track after defeat to the reigning champions.
Sam Kershaw’s side travel to fellow title contenders Poole Town tomorrow (1pm).
He said: “Last week we weren’t beaten, we lost it for ourselves.
“We know what we did wrong last week and it’s good to have a strong test against Poole. They’re a well-established Premier League team with a lot of experience.
“Hopefully we can right a few wrongs from last week. We’d bowled so well this year and then one bad day at the office.
“It’s getting back to our standards. We let it slip on Saturday so we need to rein it back in.”
Fraser Hill and Dave Trotter miss out, but John and Jenson Stewart return.
Martinstown: Kershaw, Gerety, W Maltby, S Williams, White, Wylie, Andrews, Ja Stewart, Jo Stewart, Je Stewart, Durant
Martinstown Seconds host Abbotsbury in County Division Three tomorrow (1.30pm).
Elsewhere in Dorset’s top division, Bere Regis visit Wimborne tomorrow (1pm) in search of a third straight victory.
Bere have beaten Dorchester and Christchurch but captain Brian Keegan knows his side are in for a tricky encounter at the Leaze.
He said: “It’s going to be a stern task. We don’t know exactly what we’re going to come up against.
“I know Ed Bartlett (Dorset seamer) has played at least one game for them.
“We’re under no illusions, we go there with our eyes wide open. We know it’ll be difficult but we’ve got to back ourselves.”
Youngsters Tom Munnings and Harry Green will play for the seconds, while Simon Proffitt is unavailable.
Dave Griffiths and Rob Murphy come back in while seamer Crispin Brown makes his first appearance of the summer.
Bere: M King, Rich Cole, Payne, Robertson, T Goodhew, Murphy, Griffiths, S Goodhew, Brown, Walbridge, Keegan.
Bere main sponsor: Booth Gadenne
Bere Regis Seconds host Poole Town Thirds in County Division Four tomorrow (1.30pm).
In Division One, unbeaten leaders Puddletown face their biggest test of the season when Hamworthy visit their temporary home of Plush tomorrow (1.30pm).
Firstly, Barrett gave a message to loyal scorer Mel Cross following last week’s win over Beaminster.
He said: “I firstly want to say a massive apology to the legend that is Mel for last week’s mix-up.
“We started early due to the Champions League and I forgot to tell him!”
On Hamworthy, Barrett added: “Despite never playing them personally, I have heard from numerous people that they are strong and will undoubtedly provide us with a tough challenge.
“With both sides unbeaten so far it will hopefully make for a good game.”
Returning pace duo Callum Chaldecott and Mike Hoffman replace unavailable duo Duncan Macbean and Steve Chaldecott.
Puddletown: Eastment, Snow, Mitchell, Barrett, Weir, C Chaldecott, Ry Norman, Re Norman, J Morris, D Morris, Hoffman
Weymouth, meanwhile, host third-placed Swanage looking to respond to a disappointing 11-run loss to Hamworthy last time out.
The fixture could be the Seasiders’ first at Redlands since August 2019 when coincidentally Swanage were the visitors, taking a 27-run win.
Weymouth’s home ground has fallen foul of the weather four times in four games this season.
Captain Harry Mitchell said: “It’s going to be an unknown test because we haven’t played there for almost two years.
“We’re buzzing to get back and have been looking forward to playing at home for quite a while.
“Hopefully we can put in a good all-round performance, especially with the bat. It was disappointing Saturday gone.
“We need people taking responsibility with the bat and not leaving too much to do late on.”
Weymouth are without leg-spinner Shafeek Urumancheri, Jonny Armfield and Tim Guyett but all-rounder Neil Walton comes in.
The Seasiders will make another late call on selection as they assess their options.
Dorset Trade Skills man of the match vs Hamworthy: Harry Mitchell
Weymouth match ball sponsor: Advoco Accountants
Tomorrow, Weymouth Seconds visit Puddletown Seconds in County Division Five North & West.
Finally, Portland Red Triangle are back at Reforne in search of their second County Division One win of the season.
Matt Randell’s men tackle winless Beaminster tomorrow (1.30pm).
“We spoke a lot at the start of the season about making sure we get the job done, and we’ve struggled a little bit with that,” Randell said.
“One of the messages this week will be there’s no pressure on us again but let’s go out and be positive – whether it’s with the bat or ball.
“We know we can be quite destructive when it all comes together but at the moment we’ve got a negative mindset.
“If we can go out and be more positive, certainly against a team that’s struggling, hopefully we can put them on the backfoot straight away.”
Ollie Whisker (unavailable) misses out but Tim Forshaw (hamstring) and Rich Samuel (calf) are doubts. Joe Adkins returns.
Beaminster: W Moss, Baker, A Moss, Jones, Park, Bareham, B Hollely, Everitt, Edmunds, Spiller, Edwards.
CONTACT ME:
t: 01305 830999
e: neil.walton
@dorsetecho.co.uk
twitter: @EchoSportNeil
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