DORCHESTER host Martinstown tomorrow (1pm) with both title hopes and derby bragging rights on the line.
With four games remaining, James Dunham’s men lie two points off leaders Poole Town following their 15-run loss at Bere Regis last time out.
The reigning champions are aiming for a hat-trick of Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League trophies, but Dunham knows a lot can happen between now and the end of the season.
He told Echosport: “It’s interesting because both teams have a bye in there as well.
“All it takes is bad weather when one team’s got a bye and it shakes the league up again.
“There’s a lot of variables to what can happen but if we just focus on winning four games of cricket we’re going to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.”
Dorchester beat Martinstown by 44 runs in the reverse fixture and Dunham is anticipating another good contest.
READ MORE: Charlton Down aim for league and cup double
He said: “The game at their place was brilliant, good cricket all round and played in the right spirit.
“It was definitely one of the best games we’ve been involved in this year.
“This Saturday we need to get back to basics a little bit, start stepping up with some runs, taking wickets and seeing the team home. We’ll be looking to bounce back in a big way.”
Dorchester make two changes, with Josh Richardson and Jim Ryall missing out for Jack Owens and Dan Morris.
Meanwhile, opposing skipper Sam Kershaw is looking to halt a run of five straight losses against Dorchester – Town’s last success coming in July 2017 with a 53-run win.
He said: “We always enjoy a good game down at Dorch and we’re looking forward to it.
“Last time we played them we let ourselves down massively but things have changed since then.
“They’re in a lot better position than we are so they’ll be looking to get 20 points against us to continue the fight against Poole at the top.
“If we get 20 points, that thrusts us back into it as well. There’s a lot on it.”
Martinstown are 36 points off the summit with four games left and Kershaw feels his side are not out of the title race yet.
“It would be a very outside chance,” he admitted. “You’re never out of anything with a couple of wins. If we beat Dorch and then beat Poole it could change.
“The pressure’s on Dorch and Poole this weekend – it should be interesting.”
Martinstown welcome back Tom Pope and John Stewart, with Hayden White and Nathan McNab out.
Dorchester: Carty, Owens, Anderson, Mitchem, Legg, Peak, Belt, Barrett, Morris, Dunham, Roe.
Martinstown: Gerety, Kershaw W Maltby, S Williams, T Pope, Hill, Nichols, Ja Stewart, Jo Stewart, Trotter, Durant.
Elsewhere, Dorchester Seconds and Dorchester Thirds visit Shillingstone and host Marnhull Thirds respectively, while Martinstown Seconds host Cranborne (all 1.30pm tomorrow).
Bere Regis are targeting a fourth successive victory when they travel to Christchurch tomorrow (1pm).
Bere have beaten neighbours Dorchester, Martinstown and Cattistock & Symene in that stretch.
Captain Brian Keegan urged his side to “keep hitting the standards” that have boosted Bere into fourth place.
He said: “We’ve got to do the basics. If we keep doing that and keep hitting those standards that we’re looking for, that’s where the consistency comes from.
“We’d love to think we can finish (in the top half) but there’s a lot of work still to be done.
“We’re in a rich vein of form but that’s off the back of a lot of hard work.”
Tim Goodhew (hamstring), Louis Meaden and Rich Payne are unavailable, with Dave Griffiths, Dom Pegg and Jake Perch coming in.
Bere: M King, Rich Cole, S Goodhew, Robertson, Munnings, Murphy, Griffiths, Pegg, Perch, Keegan, Walbridge
Bere main sponsor: Booth Gadenne
Bere Regis Seconds host Cattistock & Symene Seconds in a top-of-the-table clash in County Division Four tomorrow (1.30pm).
Meanwhile, County Division One leaders Puddletown are just three wins from the title ahead of hosting Beaminster at Plush tomorrow (1.30pm).
Adam Barrett’s men have a 50-point lead over Stalbridge and face bottom side Beaminster with just one win this season.
However, Barrett refused to speculate on the title race.
“I think the division has shown this season that anyone can beat anyone on their day,” he said.
“We have five games left to go this and our aim is simply to play the best cricket we can and see where that leaves us at the end of the season.
“We have had some really good games against Beaminster in the past.
“I know their availability is getting stronger each week so we are fully prepared for a very difficult contest this weekend.”
Chris Eastment and Jordan King make way for Steve Chaldecott and Joly Stevens.
Barrett added: “It’s good to welcome back Chaldy into the team because of the know-how and experience that he brings.
“Joly has performed well for the second XI this season so deserves his chance in the first XI at a higher level.”
Puddletown: Snow, Porter, Mitchell, Barrett, Weir, J Stevens, S Chaldecott, Ry Norman, D Morris, Re Norman, J Morris.
Beaminster: Park, W Moss, A Moss, Hillier, Spiller, Baker, Jones, Edmunds, Fowler, Edwards, Everitt.
Puddletown Seconds host Cheselbourne tomorrow (1.30pm) in County Division Five North & West.
Portland Red Triangle could have a say in the title race as they entertain Stalbridge at Reforne tomorrow (1.30pm).
Triangle have won three consecutive matches since losing to Weymouth earlier in July.
Skipper Matt Randell said: “It will be a tough one, we know (Stalbridge) are a really good side.
“It will be completely different for them having to come down and play at Portland.
“Hopefully we can use that home advantage – the pitch will be different to what they’re used to.”
Tim Forshaw, Callan Laws and Jon Cameron are unavailable but Rich Samuel, Chris Theakstone and Jack Marsh come in.
Portland: D Adkins, Theakstone, Randell, M Barrett, Price, Midgley, Whisker, Samuel, J Adkins, Marsh, Moles.
Portland Red Triangle Seconds travel to Poole Town Thirds in County Division Four looking for their second win tomorrow (1.30pm).
Finally, Weymouth host Hamworthy at Redlands tomorrow in County Division One.
The duo are part of a fascinating scrap for second place, with just 21 points covering Stalbridge in second and Hamworthy in sixth.
Seasiders’ skipper Harry Mitchell is keen to end a run of two losses since the Portland win, while also taking revenge for an 11-run loss earlier in the season.
He said: “First and foremost we’re definitely going into this game looking to bat a lot better than we did previously.
“Hamworthy have always been really competitive and we’ve had some really good contests with them.
“We’re looking to right a few wrongs against them.”
Weymouth are again plagued by unavailability with John Wilson, Tom England, Neil Walton, Jonny Armfield, Joe James, Dom Webb and Tarun Rampal all out.
Weymouth match ball sponsor: Advoco Accountants
Weymouth Seconds have a bye weekend but return to action at home to Puddletown Seconds on Saturday, August 7.
In County Division Three, Charlton Down host Sturminster & Hinton while Abbotsbury visit Hamworthy Rec Seconds.
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