DORCHESTER will play host to Dorset’s NCCA Trophy derby with Devon on Sunday, July 4 (11am) in a momentous occasion for the county town club.

After holding Dorset games in the 1980s and 1990s, the Rec has entertained MCC and Somerset matches, plus an England Ladies contest in recent years.

However, since Dorset parted ways with the famous Dean Park in Bournemouth, the county side’s official home has been nomadic.

Bashley, North Perrott and Chapel Gate have all accommodated Dorset during that time – and now Dorchester are looking to revive those heady days of the 80s and 90s at the Rec.

Speaking to Echosport, Dorchester’s Martyn Richards said: “It’s no secret that we’ve wanted to host Dorset for some time.

“After what happened with Dean Park there was an opportunity. We just didn’t have the facilities at that stage.

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“Jim (Ryall, groundsman) has worked wonders with the pitch and it looks and plays better than at any time in living memory. Some of the pitches have been belters.

“Thanks to local businessman and fan Mark Adams, who’s got a network of very generous sponsors, we’ve now got an electronic scoreboard.

“We’re ready now to put on a game, we’re well-equipped to pull everything together, get all the volunteers and host a really good day.

“What we’re looking to do is recreate the atmosphere from some of the big games we’ve hosted over the years.

“There would always be hundreds of people watching and quite a partisan crowd.

“People have really got behind the home team and that’s what we’re looking to provide for Dorset, give them an atmosphere that hopefully means they want to come down and play more games.”

Post-match, a poignant moment awaits as both Dorchester and Dorset pay tribute to the late Peter Moxham, who served the county as treasurer and membership secretary.

Moxham was also the first Dorchester captain to win the Dorset League title.

The stand-out player on the day will be named in the ‘Peter Moxham man-of-the-match award’ ceremony.

Richards added: “We’re very much looking forward to welcoming some of Peter’s family to be present.

“We’re looking forward to honouring a fantastic guy and he served Dorset in a number of roles for many years.”

The contest will be 50 overs per side, with Dorset playing in their one-day kit.

With the use of the limited-overs white ball, Dorchester have also painted their sight screens black in accordance with NCCA rules.

Along with Dorchester’s clubhouse bar, a pop-up marquee bar will be stationed beyond the boundary.

A hot food truck and a quirky ice-cream tuk-tuk will provide catering on the day, with a DJ set rounding off the entertainment post-match.

Ample parking is available at £2 donation per car.

Dorchester are also laying on a charity cake stall to help raise money for a new defibrillator.

Match sponsor: Read Woodruff