DORCHESTER are keen to get their Dorset Premier League title defence back on track against Christchurch at Hurn Bridge tomorrow (1pm).

Dan Belt’s side were edged out by new leaders Wimborne last time out, with Bere Regis also overtaking the champions.

But there is no panic on Dorchy’s side, however, with Belt confident his players are competing to a high standard.

He told Echosport: “We’ve heard mixed things about Christchurch this year. They’ve given teams really good games and then given teams a chance.

“Last week proved it, with Puddletown taking eight wickets against them in a low-scoring game.

READ MORE: Dorchester lose to Wimborne in clash of the leaders

“We’ll go there as if we’re playing one of the top teams and just worry about our game and getting the 20 points.

“We still believe we didn’t deserve to lose (at Wimborne) but at the same time you’re going to get games where you don’t get things go your way.

“We didn’t play a bad game. When you’re playing top teams, you will get games like that. We just look forward to this weekend and playing some good cricket.”

Scott Peach and Eral Anderson (unavailable) miss out, while Ben Alford captains the second team. Jack Owens and Billy Baker return, with a late call on the 11th player.

Dorchester: Ryall, Mitchem, Rajendar, Peak, Legg, Belt, Owens, Dunham, Nobbs, Baker, AN Other.

Dorchester Seconds host Shillingstone in County Division Two tomorrow (1.30pm), while the thirds have a bye weekend and return to action next Saturday at Cattistock & Symene Thirds.

Placed just two points ahead of Dorchester in the standings, Bere Regis are searching for their fifth straight win when they visit Poole Town tomorrow (1pm).

Bere beat last year’s runners-up Poole away to swing the title in Dorchester’s favour in a dramatic final day.

However, captain Brian Keegan is wary of Town’s quality on a notoriously difficult away day.

He said: “Obviously it was a really good result for us last year but it doesn’t mean anything come (tomorrow).

“We’re expecting a real difficult game. They’ve got a lot of experience throughout their ranks and they’re very effective at home.

“Just because we won there last year doesn’t mean we’ve got any right to do so this year. We’ve got to put a shift in, do what we’re good at and fingers crossed that gets us over the line.”

Bere have four changes to the side that beat Cattistock & Symene last time out, with Tom Munnings (school), Sean Walbridge (shin), Pete Russell (unavailable) and Lyndon White out.

In come Tim Goodhew, Dean Rogerson, Rupert Guppy and all-rounder Dave Griffiths.

Bere: M King, Payne, Griffiths, S Goodhew, Robertson, T Goodhew, Murphy, Rich Cole, Rogerson, Guppy, B Keegan.

Bere main sponsor: Booth Gadenne

First XI match ball sponsor: Graeme Price

Second XI match ball sponsor: Margaret Keegan

Bere Regis Seconds are looking for their first win of the season in County Division Three when they host Kingston Lacy tomorrow (1.30pm).

Back in the Premier League, Martinstown are looking to carry on the momentum from last week as they visit Delph Woods to face Broadstone tomorrow (1pm).

New skippers Charlie Durant and Will Maltby enjoyed a good start to their reign with a five-wicket success over Sherborne last time out.

Their next challenge is to record back-to-back wins for the first time this season – and Durant is well aware of the need to tick the milestone off the list.

“We haven’t gone back-to-back,” he said. “So, it would be nice to build a platform from last week because it was a really big result for us.

“I feel like we’ve got a lot of our confidence back from where it was. We’ve got a favourable run of fixtures towards the halfway mark now to get a few wins together.”

Durant, Dave Trotter, Sam Kershaw and Fraser Hill all miss out, along with Steve Gerety.

Martinstown are assessing their squad options before selecting an XI.

Their second team are in action at home to Poole Town Thirds in Division Three tomorrow (1.30pm).

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Puddletown have arguably their biggest game of the season at Cattistock & Symene tomorrow (1pm).

Puddle are second bottom, while the Foxes are last of the ten sides in the DPL – neither team having won so far.

Away skipper Adam Barrett played down the significance of the clash.

He said: “I know people will look at it as the bottom two teams, but we’re going to treat it like any other match.

“To win any game in the Premier League you’re going to have to play really well, whether that’s against Dorchester, Cattistock, whoever.

“All we’re focusing on is doing the best we can with the players we’ve got and hopefully that will be enough to maybe bring up our first win of the season.

“I don’t think I’ve ever played a Saturday game (at Cattistock) but I’ve played a few Evening League matches, mainly on the artificial.

“I don’t know a great deal about their pitch or team. I get on quite well with their captain Steve Tucker – I went to university with him, so we’re good friends.

“It will be good to catch up and play against him.”

Puddletown make one tactical change, with Dave Morris replaced by Lucas Allen.

Puddletown: Snow, Allen, Mitchell, Barrett, C Chaldecott, Weir, Re Norman, S Chaldecott, Eastment, Ry Norman, J Morris.

Puddletown Seconds visit Portland Red Triangle Seconds in County Division Five tomorrow (1.30pm).

Meanwhile, Portland’s first team face up to second-placed Witchampton in County Division One tomorrow (1.30pm).

The Witches have been one of the surprise packages of the season after claiming four victories from five games.

Matt Randell’s Portland are fifth and have lost their past two games, but the Triangle skipper expects another challenging weekend on the tricky Critchell Park pitch.

He said: “You’ve got to take the pitch out of the equation if it’s misbehaving.

“You’re always thinking there’s a ball with your name on it and you maybe play differently.

“The key is to just think about the next ball and focus on the stuff you can control.”

Portland are set to make a host of changes, with Simon Proffitt, Ryan Price, Chris Theakstone and Joe Adkins all unavailable.

Rich Samuel (hand) returns after cutting a tendon and off-spinner Jack Marsh is available.

Portland: Randell, Laws, M Barrett, D Adkins, Russell, Moles, Griffin, Samuel, J Marsh, AN Other, AN Other.

In County Division Two, Weymouth are gunning for a hat-trick of wins after successive triumphs over Beaminster and Sturminster & Hinton.

They visit second-placed Parley Seconds tomorrow (1.30pm) knowing a win would catapult them above their east Dorset opponents.

Away skipper Harry Mitchell said: “Three wins on the bounce would be ideal. We’re starting to build a bit of momentum now and look like a team again after a couple of poor performances.

“We’re looking to build on our all-round performance. This week, we need to take all ten wickets.

“We’re getting teams quite a few down and not finishing off the job, if we can do that it would be a positive.”

Weymouth make four changes with Tom England, Neil Walton, Kieron Womble and Corey Baker missing out.

In come Dave Blackman, Jonny Armfield and Manoj Somaratne plus an unnamed second-team player.

Weymouth: Blackman, Urumancheri, Mitchell, J Sapsworth, J Armfield, Beals, Guyett, Somaratne, P Sapsworth, Hoyes, AN Other.

Unbeaten Weymouth Seconds host Bournemouth Fifths at Redlands in Division Six tomorrow (1.30pm).