DORCHESTER are looking to win their remaining six Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League games as the title race hots up.
James Dunham’s men host Broadstone at Dorchester Rec tomorrow (1pm) looking to bounce back from an agonising two-run defeat to main rivals Poole.
The gap between the sides is now only seven points and Dunham admits Dorchester will not be over-complicating their approach against the Delph Woods side.
He told Echosport: “We lost last week and now we see it as six weeks ahead of us where we’re looking to win six games of cricket.
“We don’t need to over-complicate things, just take each game as it comes, starting with (tomorrow) and just winning those games.
“If we can do that we’ll be up there at the end of the season.”
Dunham is unsure what to expect of seventh-placed Broadstone, adding: “I genuinely don’t know.
READ MORE: Portland bounce back to sink Swans
“Broadstone as a club in general are very good, they’ve got good facilities and a good youth section and have been a Premier League side for as long as I can remember.
“I’m expecting them to be a solid side. They might not be at the top but it doesn’t mean they can’t beat teams.
“We know they’ve got some good players and it definitely won’t be an easy game for us.”
Dorchester make four changes, with Dunham out due to self-isolation.
He is replaced by second-team skipper Rob Nobbs, while Seb Carty, Josh Richardson and Jack Owens miss out. Eral Anderson, James Caldwell and Jamie Barrett come in.
Dorchester: Ryall, J Caldwell, Mitchem, Anderson, Barrett, Legg, Morris, Belt, Peak, Roe, Nobbs.
*Dorchester Seconds visit Broadstone Seconds in County Division Two, while Dorchester Thirds travel to Blandford Seconds in County Division Five North & West (both tomorrow 1.30pm).
Meanwhile, Martinstown will aim to recover lost ground in the Premier League title race away to Sherborne tomorrow (1pm).
Town skipper Sam Kershaw is also self-isolating, meaning Will Maltby will take the reins for the second time this season.
The teenager scored 96 not out on his captaincy debut against Wimborne.
He said: “We’ve struggled a bit in the last few years at Sherborne but I think we’ve got quite a strong side this week, so it should make a difference.
“I don’t think we’ve had enough with the bat, but this week we’ve got a good batting line-up.
“There was a good turnout at training this week and we’ve got good availability, so I can’t wait to get back out there.”
John Stewart, Tom and George Pope plus Jack Kane and Nathan McNab come in, but Dave Trotter and Steve Gerety miss out.
Martinstown: Kane, S Williams, W Maltby, T Pope, G Pope, White, Hill, Ja Stewart, Jo Stewart, McNab, Durant.
*Martinstown Seconds host Sherborne Seconds in County Division Three tomorrow (1.30pm).
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Bere Regis travel to winless Cattistock & Symene.
But Bere skipper Brian Keegan will not take the Foxes lightly tomorrow (1pm).
He said: “From our perspective we’ve got to do the basics, put ourselves in position to win the game, and not take Cattistock lightly – we don’t want to be the first notch on their bedpost.
“They’ve got a number of players that can turn the game, especially at Cattistock – the dimensions of the ground are quite small.
“If somebody gets going, the boundary can be cleared quite easily.”
Rob Murphy, Pete Macklin and Dom Pegg are unavailable but Rich Payne, Tim Goodhew and Tom Munnings come in.
Bere: M King, Rich Cole, S Goodhew, Robertson, T Goodhew, Payne, Griffiths, Meaden, Keegan, Walbridge, Munnings.
Bere main sponsor: Booth Gadenne
*Bere Regis Seconds host Swanage Seconds in County Division Four tomorrow (1.30pm).
In County Division One, leaders Puddletown are aiming for the double over Portland Red Triangle at Plush tomorrow (1.30pm).
Puddle lead Stalbridge by 46 points and could extend their advantage with their rivals facing third-placed Weymouth.
Adam Barrett’s troops will be looking for an improved batting performance this weekend after being rolled out for 111 against Weymouth.
Despite coming out on top in that nail-biting one-run victory last weekend, Barrett is assured that his side must improve against Triangle.
He said: “I think it’s fair to say we got away with one last week.
“We didn’t bat well at all, and it was only Adam Weir’s heroics that got us over the line.
“We will need to bat much better, but I have faith in the team to do exactly that.
“Portland are a good side and we know their lads quite well. They play an aggressive type of cricket which I am quite a big fan of.
“Any bowling side knows that if you don’t take early wickets against them then they always have the potential to hit massive totals.”
Puddletown will make a late call on team selection. Their second team visit Bradford Abbas in County Division Five North & West tomorrow (1.30pm).
Portland, meanwhile, are bullish over their chances of beating the league leaders.
Captain Matt Randell said: “I think Puddletown are quite a good, consistent side.
“Anyone’s a beatable side in this league. I didn’t think that with them coming into the league they’d be unbeaten at this stage.
“It’s a matter of time before they do lose their first one and hopefully it can be with us playing them.”
Portland make one change, with Ryan Price missing out for Chris Theakstone.
Portland: Theakstone, D Adkins, Randell, M Barrett, Forshaw, Laws, Whisker, J Adkins, Cameron, Marsh, Moles.
*Portland Seconds host Ashmore in County Division Four tomorrow (1.30pm).
Division One rivals Weymouth are looking for the perfect response to their one-run loss against Puddletown.
The Seasiders host Stalbridge at Redlands tomorrow (1.30pm) in a battle of second versus third.
Home skipper Harry Mitchell said: “After Saturday there’s still loads to play for.
“If we can build on the last couple of finishes in the league and nail down third or try and compete for second place, it would be a good end to the season.
“We’ll just keep building and building. We just need to build partnerships with the bat and continue our form at home.
“It’s been really good throughout the season. With ball in hand don’t go looking for things to happen, just wait and be patient.
“If we put the ball in the right areas for long enough periods we’ll get rewards.”
Weymouth will make a late call on team selection.
Weymouth match ball sponsor: Advoco Accountants
*Weymouth Seconds visit Stalbridge Seconds in County Division Five North & West tomorrow (1.30pm).
In County Division Three, Charlton Down host Abbotsbury for the second time in four days after Down beat the Swans by six wickets in evening league action on Wednesday.
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