DORCHESTER captain James Dunham believes “every point counts” as the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League title race gathers pace.
Reigning champions Dorchester host Cattistock & Symene tomorrow (1pm) with a seven-points gap to Poole as they seek a hat-trick of league wins.
However, Poole have one game in hand and face pressure from the resurgent Martinstown, who are 10 points off Dorchester in third.
Speaking to Echosport, Dunham said: “It’s exciting now that Martinstown beat Poole last week.
“Every points counts now. We’ve still got a bit to do and know we’re chasing. Poole are still in control with the extra game.
“But who knows what can happen this time of year? August is a funny month for availability and weather.
READ MORE: Martinstown thrash Poole to throw title race wide open
“We fell foul to the weather on Saturday. We’ve got two games ahead of us now where we need to get as many points from as possible.”
Dorchester: Dunham, Belt, Mitchem, Carty, Legg, Peak, Barrett, Roe, Nobbs, J Foot, Gray.
Dorchester Seconds visit Corfe Mullen in County Division Two, while Dorchester Thirds travel to Puddletown Seconds in County Division Five North & West (both tomorrow 1.30pm).
Martinstown will be hoping to take advantage if the top two teams slip up.
Town visit Wimborne & Colehill tomorrow (1pm) and are led once more by Will Maltby this week with skipper Sam Kershaw unavailable.
Maltby crashed a stunning 96 not out against the Minstermen on his debut as captain in the reverse fixture.
He said: “At the moment we’re a confident side having beaten the two top teams, especially Poole by a big margin.
“Wimborne are usually quite an all-round side. They’re good in the field, have a solid batting line-up, bat deep, and have some good bowlers.
“It should be quite a good game, a difficult game, but I’m sure we’re up for the challenge.”
Kershaw and Fraser Hill are replaced by Charlie Durant and Steve Gerety.
Martinstown: Gerety, T Pope, W Maltby, S Williams, Ja Stewart, Nichols, H White, Je Stewart, Trotter, McNab, Durant.
Martinstown Seconds host County Division Three leaders Chalke Valley tomorrow (1.30pm).
Bere Regis have a bye weekend and return on Saturday, August 21 at home to Broadstone.
In County Division One, Puddletown could seal the title and promotion to the Premier League with victory against Marnhull at Plush tomorrow (1.30pm).
Adam Barrett’s men lead Swanage by 45 points with a possible 60 to earn, meaning a haul of 16 points would clinch the trophy.
Puddletown beat the visitors by nine wickets, skittling them for 93 in the reverse fixture, but Barrett is expecting a much closer contest this time around.
He said: “When we travelled to their place we bowled really well and skittled them for under a 100.
“I think they had quite a few missing that day though so I am expecting them to be stronger this time around.
“They had a good result last week against Stalbridge so confidence will be high for them.
“Hopefully we can achieve a positive result though and the outcome we are hoping for.”
Puddletown will make a late call on team selection.
Elsewhere in County Division One, Portland Red Triangle are gunning for second place following a superb late run of form.
Matt Randell’s side have won their past five matches, including a seven-wicket win over Beaminster last time out.
Ahead of hosting Hamworthy at Reforne tomorrow (1.30pm), Randell said: “We’re always confident at home.
“We’ll look to try and get some runs on the board and restrict them in the second innings.
“It will be a good game, they’re going to be a good side and hopefully we can just perform on the day.
“After the start to the season we had, we’d be delighted to finish in second. It’s certainly something we’ve spoken about.
“I think we’re relying on Swanage to lose a game or two and us to carry on winning. Everything’s to play for to try and finish as high as possible.”
Ryan Price and Joe Adkins miss out, with Eddie Moles and Tim Forshaw their replacements.
Portland: D Adkins, Whisker, Randell, M Barrett, Theakstone, Forshaw, Laws, Cameron, Midgley, Marsh, Moles.
Portland Red Triangle Seconds visit Bere Regis Seconds in County Division Four tomorrow (1.30pm).
Meanwhile, Weymouth are seeking to halt a run of four losses since the 86-run derby win over Portland in early July.
The Seasiders have slipped to sixth in the table and host Witchampton at Redlands tomorrow (1.30pm).
The Witches were on the end of a four-wicket loss to Harry Mitchell’s side in the low-scoring return fixture.
Mitchell said: “I think it’s going to be a drastic difference to the last game.
“Redlands is going to be a lot higher scoring. We played on the pitch in midweek and it was a really high-scoring game – like being on an Astro.
“We’re hoping for the same again on Saturday and the pitch will be nice and hard.
“They bowled well last time at their place but in their own conditions on their own track, which is hard to score on.
“It should be a different game at Redlands, more free-flowing, and we’re looking to bounce back.
“We’ve had a few poor displays and a slump in runs. Hopefully we can change that this week and get back to winning ways.”
Weymouth batsmen Dom Webb and Tom England return, but all-rounder Jonny Armfield misses out.
Weymouth match ball sponsor: Advoco Accountants
Weymouth Seconds travel to County Division Five North & West leaders Bradford Abbas in search of their third win of the season tomorrow (1.30pm).
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