Dorchester look to build title momentum against Bere Regis

Just seven points separate reigning champions Dorchy and Poole, with five games remaining.

However, Dunham is wary of the qualities Bere Regis possess – particularly given a nine-run defeat to their near neighbours in May.

He told Echosport: “They played really well against us last time. The game was reduced to 27 overs and they play a lot of that type of format together in the Evening League.

“Of course we’re looking to win (tomorrow) and take the season as deep as we can for a title shootout against Poole.

“They’ve got quite a lot of individual players who can win a game, as we found out at home.

“We’ve got a good home record over the last four years so for them to beat us there was big credit to them.

READ MORE: Bere Regis spin to win against Foxes

“I’m sure they’re coming into the game with confidence so we should be set for quite a good game of cricket.”

Dunham’s opposite number Brian Keegan is looking to complete a rare double over the Dorset champions.

“That won’t be easy,” he said. “Obviously we got a result over them earlier in the season but that counts for nothing.

“We start again, fresh, and Dorchester will come into it with their eyes wide open as well.

“They may look upon it that they got caught cold last time around.

“Hopefully we can match them again, get the 50/50 moments to go in our favour and, if they do, there’s no reason why we can’t win again.”

Dorchester make three changes, with Dan Morris, Rob Nobbs and James Caldwell replaced by Dunham, Josh Richardson and Seb Carty.

Bere Regis all-rounder Rob Murphy Picture: GRAHAM HUNT

Bere have one alteration, Rob Murphy coming back for Dave Griffiths.

Bere Regis: M King, Payne, S Goodhew, Robertson, Murphy, T Goodhew, Munnings, Meaden, Rich Cole, Keegan, Walbridge.

Bere Regis main sponsor: Booth Gadenne

Dorchester: Ryall, Carty, Anderson, Mitchem, Legg, Belt, Barrett, Richardson, Peak, Dunham, Roe.

*Bere Regis Seconds continue their pursuit of the County Division Four title at Royal Challengers Sports.

Dorchester Seconds host Shaftesbury in County Division Two and Dorchester Thirds entertain Stalbridge Seconds in County Division Five North & West (all tomorrow 1.30pm).

Elsewhere in the top flight, Martinstown aim for their first win since late June.

They face a Cattistock & Symene side still winless and will tomorrow (1pm) look to complete the double over the Foxes after bowling them out for 96 in May.

Town captain Sam Kershaw said: “It’s a very big banana skin. The way we performed at their place, we’ll try to recreate that.

“Teams that have got nothing to lose are always difficult to play. They’ve got a few players that can perform on the day.

“We’ll just play our game and look to come out on top.”

Kershaw is looking to bounce back from last weeks’ four-wicket loss at Sherborne.

“We’ve always struggled up there,” he admitted. “It’s another case of we know what we’ve done wrong. We didn’t start very well with bat or ball.”

Martinstown: Kershaw, Gerety, W Maltby, S Williams, H White, Wylie, Hill, Ja Stewart, Trotter, Durant, McNab.

*Martinstown Seconds visit Kingston Lacy in County Division Three tomorrow (1.30pm).

Meanwhile, in County Division One, a crunch top-of-the-table clash awaits leaders Puddletown at Stalbridge.

Currently, 37 points separate the sides but Puddle, for the first time this season, go into the game off the back of a 34-run loss to Portland.

Puddletown captain Adam Barrett, right Picture: GRAHAM HUNT

Puddletown captain Adam Barrett admitted his side are facing a very difficult game.

“After coming down from the Prem it is clear that Stalbridge are a top side with lots of good players,” he said.

“We narrowly beat them at our place at the beginning of the season, but a lot of things went our way on that day such as winning the toss and the pitch drying out in the second innings.

“(Tomorrow) is going to be a very difficult game for us”

Puddletown welcome back seamer Dave Morris and opening batsman Matt Porter, who replace the unavailable Steve Chaldecott and Mike Hoffman.

“It’s good to welcome back Dave and Matt into the side, they both bring something to the team so that is a positive.

“It’s a shame that Chaldy is missing out through injury however, his experience is invaluable in games such as this so he will be a big loss for us no doubt.”

Puddletown: Porter, Snow, Mitchell, Barrett, Weir, King, Ry Norman, Eastment, J Morris, Re Norman, D Morris.

*Puddletown Seconds visit Cattistock & Symene Thirds in County Division Five North & West tomorrow (1.30pm).

Weymouth will look to make ground on one of the top two when they travel to Beaminster’s Memorial Ground tomorrow (1.30pm).

Harry Mitchell’s men have beaten Beaminster in all three of their past encounters.

However, the sides experienced differing fortunes last week, with Weymouth losing to Stalbridge by 11 runs and Beaminster hitting 261 in their win over Compton House.

Mitchell said: “Recently we’ve had some good memories up there.

“We usually perform quite well at their place and it’s normally a good pitch.

“We could be better with the bat this week, we’ve had a couple of weeks where we’ve been off it slightly so we’re looking to make amends this week.”

John Wilson, right, misses out for Weymouth Picture: GRAHAM HUNT

Opening batsmen John Wilson and Tom England miss out but Dom Webb returns.

*Weymouth Seconds entertain Marnhull Thirds in County Division Five North & West tomorrow (1.30pm).

Weymouth match ball sponsor: Advoco Accountants

Beaminster: Park, W Moss, A Moss, Hillier, Spiller, Baker, Jones, O Bareham, N Hollely, Edwards, Everitt.

Elsewhere in Division One, Portland Red Triangle are looking to build on their win over Puddletown.

With hot weather this week, skipper Matt Randell is hoping to score well at Reforne against Witchampton tomorrow (1.30pm).

He said: “I would anticipate the pitches around the whole county should be nice!

“I’m expecting to see some high scores and a decent track suits the way we’re going to look to play.

“We’ll look to go after them, not let them settle and we can post something that we can go about defending.”

Portland (from): D Adkins, Laws, Price, Randell, M Barrett, Forshaw, Midgley, Whisker, J Adkins, Marsh, Cameron, Moles.

Portland’s second team are searching for their first win of the season at Witchampton Seconds in County Division Four tomorrow (1.30pm).

In County Division Three, Charlton Down visit leaders Chalke Valley in a top-of-the-table battle, while Abbotsbury host Wareham (both 1.30pm tomorrow).