DORCHESTER have added extra firepower to their ranks with the capture of Dorset all-rounder Jon Legg.

James Dunham’s men had already welcomed Dan Belt and Jack Owens back to the club this winter.

But the signing of former youth talent Legg from Cattistock & Symene underlines Dorchester’s status as clear favourites for a hat-trick of Dorset titles.

Legg made his debut for Dorset in 2018, taking a hugely impressive 6-58 against Shropshire at Bournemouth’s Chapel Gate ground.

The left-arm spinner and top order batsmen has three National Counties appearances to his name and last season scored 129 in five innings at club level.

He backed that up with figures of 7-122 in last season’s Thank You NHS Dorset League.

Dorchester are confident Legg can fill the void left by off-spinner Ben Thompson’s exit during the off-season.

Speaking to Echosport, Dunham said: “Ben’s not around this year and Jon naturally slots into that place.

“He can bat in the top five, bowl 10 overs and field very well every week for us.

“It’s good to have Jon back. I played with him when we were both quite young at Dorchester.

“He went away for a few years and has blossomed as a player, scored loads of runs and taken wickets. He rightfully earned a Dorset call-up.

“He’s worked really hard on his game and it’s great to have him back. It certainly strengthens our squad.”

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Legg’s arrival means Dorchester have three players with Dorset experience in their ranks, alongside Belt and James Caldwell.

All-rounder Simon Mitchem has also skippered the Dorset Leopards development side in recent seasons.

Dunham added: “The best thing is training with each other, we’re facing them and bowling at them.

“Everybody learns from them and they really enjoy playing for us.

“It’s great because it brings out the best in everyone and is what makes the club successful.”

Cattistock & Symene earned promotion to the Premier League in 2019 and will face Dorchester this season.

But Dunham admitted Legg moved for the challenge plus the chance to win silverware.

He said: “With how hard we’ve worked and how successful we’ve been, the structure of the club is there.

“It’s a very happy environment. Jon has still got a lot of mates at Dorchester and he’ll look to challenge himself more by playing for us and looking to win the league.

“If he’s scoring runs and taking wickets for us, he could potentially get back into the Dorset squad.

“He hasn’t fallen out with Cattistock and they’ve been great about it.

“The three players we’ve pulled in are the three we wanted, so we can’t wait to get going now.”

Dorchester begin their quest for a third straight Dorset Premier League title away to rivals Wimborne on Saturday, May 1.