WILL Maltby returns for Martinstown as the Villagers host Bere Regis in a tasty Wessex Internet Dorset Premier League clash at Lower Ashton Farm tomorrow (1pm).
Maltby, one of the outstanding cricketers in Dorset, has been nursing a broken finger and suffered a setback earlier this month after having it re-casted in plaster.
However, he is now back fit and skipper Charlie Durant is excited to unleash the batter as Town seek a first win of the season.
Durant told Echosport: “Last week was a much better performance.
“I know it’s not the same but we had an Evening League game against Puddletown which we won to go through to the next round of the cup. That’s a bit of confidence, as well.
READ MORE: Bere Regis beat Dorchester by seven wickets
“We’re definitely headed in the right direction and we’ve got the massive bonus of having Will back.
“Not only is he one of the best batsmen in the league, he lifts the dressing room with his energy.”
Opposing captain Brian Keegan, meanwhile, recognises last week’s win over ex-champions Dorchester counts for little if Bere struggle tomorrow.
“We obviously don’t want to slip up after getting a good result last weekend,” Keegan stated.
“The bottom line is that Martinstown deserve respect. We don’t want to be that first notch on their bedpost, so to speak.
“We want to build momentum ourselves, we’ll be going in with our eyes wide open.
“Results from the last few weeks have been good and what’s more pleasing is the performances have been getting better.”
Alongside Maltby, Martinstown welcome back John Stewart and Hayden White, with Matt Rimmer and Ry Gerety missing out.
Bere make three changes as Theo Talbot, Tim Goodhew and Dean Rogerson miss out for Tom Munnings, Gordon Fraser, Cleay Perham.
County Division Four leaders Martinstown Seconds visit Ashmore in a top-of-the-table clash tomorrow, while Division Three pacesetters Bere Regis Seconds host Royal Challengers.
Martinstown (from): Nichols, Gerety, S Williams, W Maltby, Lewis, F Williams, White, Jo Stewart, Kane, Hill, Coombs, Durant.
Bere: Russell, Rich Cole, Munnings, S Goodhew, Robertson, Murphy, Fraser, Payner, Perham, Walbridge, Keegan.
Bere main sponsor: Booth Gadenne
Bere first XI match ball sponsor: Bere Regis Dental Practice
Bere second XI match ball sponsor: Dorset Property Surveys
Meanwhile, Dorchester are looking to bounce back from defeat to Bere when they host promoted side Blandford at Dorchester Rec tomorrow.
Jon Legg’s men are on a 12-match winning streak at home since losing by four wickets to Martinstown in July 2021.
Legg, however, is not taking anything for granted.
He said: “Blandford are a bit unknown but they earned their right to be in the Prem.
“We have to put in a performance better than last week, we’ll be raring to go and aim to put right what we didn’t achieve last weekend.
“We will aim to start building some momentum which we can take forward through the rest of the first half of the season and beyond.”
Dorchester Seconds visit Abbotsbury in Division Three, with Dorchester Thirds making the short trip to Charlton Down Seconds in Division Six tomorrow.
Dorchester: Legg, Ryall, Rajendar, Narasimhan, Subramanian, Jones, Belt, Nobbs, Mitchem, Barrett, Morris.
In County Division One, Portland Red Triangle are licking their wounds after two successive defeats.
Matt Randell’s men entertain leaders Poole Town Seconds at Reforne tomorrow, but Triangle’s skipper is looking inwardly as he aims to turn performances around.
He said: “That’s what we’ve spoken about this week, we need to bounce back now.
“Once you've lost three or four early on then the season’s pretty much over.
“If we can get on a winning streak in the next few games then we’ll have something to play for in the back end of the season.”
Simon Proffitt returns for Triangle, who will select from a 12-man squad.
Triangle’s second string visit Poole Town Fourths at Whitecliff tomorrow.
Portland (from): Laws, M Barrett, Samuel, Randell, Proffitt, Price, Russell, D Adkins, Moles, Marsh, Potts, Cameron.
Elsewhere in Division One, Puddletown are another side chasing their maiden win of 2023.
Ryan Norman’s men lost narrowly to Swanage last weekend and this week visit Hamworthy Rec.
Norman said: “They’re one of those sides where if they’ve got everyone on the park, they’re really strong.
“If we can carry on from where we left off last week I’ll be pleased. The application was much better, we dug in, made a decent total.
“Even at the end when it looked like they were going to cruise to victory, we dug in, took late wickets and managed to pick up points.
“If we can build on that, hopefully we can get the result.
Puddletown Seconds visit Stalbridge Development in Division Five tomorrow.
Puddletown: Ry Norman, Re Norman, Barrett, Weir, D Morris, J Morris, Snow, Knight, Crabb, S Chaldecott, AN Other.
In Division Two, Weymouth are hunting back-to-back wins after their 138-run victory over Marnhull last week.
Lloyd Beals takes the Seasiders to Parley Seconds, who were skittled for 89 by Corfe Mullen last week after two strong performances previously.
Beals said: “Going off what I played last year, I believe they’re a decent bowling unit. You pick your bowlers to target and what I faced last year it was tough to narrow it down.
“They also beat us convincingly twice and bat all the way down.
“Everything hasn’t been great since I’ve been at the club, so my main goal is to improve all of it brick by brick.”
Weymouth Seconds host Winton Seconds at Redlands in Division Five tomorrow.
Weymouth: England, Beals, Walton, Tarry, Webb, J Sapsworth, Guyett, Mitchell, Baker, Urumancheri, P Sapsworth.
Matchday sponsor: Active Mobility
Player sponsor: Advoco Accountants
Ground renovation sponsor: GRBS
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