DORCHESTER will look to enjoy their remaining three Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League matches as the title race goes down to the wire.
James Dunham’s troops visit Sherborne tomorrow (1pm) looking to end a run of two losses which has seen them lose ground to rivals Poole.
Defending champions Dorchester hold a six-point advantage but Poole crucially have a game in hand on the final day of the season – Saturday, August 28.
And Dunham believes his team has felt the weight of expectation of a hat-trick of titles.
“I think we need to make sure we enjoy it,” he told Echosport.
“That we’re not putting too much pressure on ourselves and just play. There was a lot of expectation on us.
“We just need to get back to enjoying our cricket. Sherborne’s a nice place to go to, we need to get back to basics.”
Dorchester make one change, with off-spinner Jamie Barrett (work) playing for the seconds and seamer Josh Richardson returning.
Dorchester: Carty, Owens, Anderson, Mitchem, Belt, Legg, Richardson, Peak, Nobbs, Dunham, Roe.
*Dorchy’s second team host Blandford in County Division Two, while the thirds host Cattistock & Symene Thirds in County Division Five (both 1.30pm tomorrow).
Martinstown could have a massive say in the title race when they host Poole tomorrow (1pm).
Sam Kershaw’s men upset Dorchester by four wickets last weekend and are just 18 points adrift of Poole, winners of eight consecutive games.
Kershaw said: “You couldn’t ask for harder games back-to-back than Dorchester and Poole, could you?
“There’s a different dynamic when you play (Poole) away. They’ve got big boundaries and get the spinners on early.
“Hopefully we can use our ground to our advantage and shake them up a bit. If we win, it really does put a mixer on it.
“Three teams in the race and a lot of bad weather forecast. Dorchester are away on the other side of the county. We could get a game in and they couldn’t, or vice versa.”
Town’s one change is John Stewart, who is replaced by fellow seamer Nathan McNab.
Martinstown: Gerety, Kershaw, W Maltby, S Williams, T Pope, H White, Hill, Ja Stewart, Trotter, McNab.
*Martinstown Seconds visit Abbotsbury in County Division Three tomorrow (1.30pm).
Also in the Premier League, Bere Regis will look to extend their superb run of four straight wins when Wimborne visit Bere Regis Rec tomorrow (1pm).
Bere have beaten Martinstown, Cattistock, Dorchester and Christchurch during that time.
However, captain Brian Keegan is wary of Wimborne’s quality going in the game.
He said: “They did us at their place and they’re a good side.
“It’s a case of us taking our catches, which we didn’t do that day and try and create pressure on the opposition.
“We’re fresh on Saturday and we’ll concentrate on our own game. We’ve got enough quality.
“You’ve got to bowl well and tough it out with the bat, which is what we did last Saturday at Christchurch.
“You can get into certain situations where you start losing games and it’s hard to get out of.
“Conversely, you always want to get on that winning streak. It’s just getting over the line.”
Bere make one change, with Jake Perch out for Tim Goodhew, who will play through a minor hamstring strain.
*Bere Regis Seconds visit Poole Town Thirds in County Division Four tomorrow (1.30pm).
Bere Regis: M King, Griffiths, S Goodhew, Robertson, T Goodhew, Munnings, Murphy, Rich Cole, Pegg, Walbridge, Keegan.
Bere main sponsor: Booth Gadenne
Meanwhile, the County Division One title could be decided this weekend if leaders Puddletown claim six more points than Swanage in second tomorrow (1.30pm).
Adam Barrett’s side visit Hamworthy Rec with the trophy and promotion to the Premier League on the line, although the skipper believes it’s business as usual.
He said: “We haven’t been giving any attention to the league table all season and that hasn’t changed this week. As far as we are concerned it’s just another game of cricket.
“As I have said multiple times this season, anyone can beat anyone in this league and we just need to focus on playing the best cricket we can to hopefully achieve a good result.
“When we played Hamworthy at home first time around it was a scorching hot day played on a really good wicket.
“Looking at the forecast, it looks like there might be a bit of rain around so we just need to adapt our game accordingly depending on the conditions.”
Puddletown make three changes from the side that beat Beaminster last week, with Mike Hoffman, Lucas Allen and Chris Eastment all returning.
Puddletown: Allen, Porter, Mitchell, Barrett, Weir, Snow, Ry Norman, Hoffman, Re Norman, D Morris, Eastment.
*Puddletown Seconds visit Weymouth Seconds in County Division Five North & West tomorrow (1.30pm).
Portland Red Triangle will look to continue their improving Division One form with a trip to Beaminster tomorrow (1.30pm).
Triangle have won four successive games since losing the Weymouth derby and face a Beaminster side with just one victory all season.
“We go into it with a lot of confidence after the last few wins,” captain Matt Randell said.
“We saw Puddletown and Stalbridge as being really hard to win, so to win those two has boosted everyone’s confidence.”
Portland name an unchanged side from the 91-run win over Stalbridge last time out.
Portland: D Adkins, J Adkins, Randell, M Barrett, Theakstone, Munro, Price, Midgley, Samuel, Marsh, Moles.
*Portland’s second string host Broadstone Thirds at Reforne in County Division Four tomorrow (1.30pm).
Elsewhere, Weymouth are looking to halt their slide down the Division One table against Swanage tomorrow (1.30pm).
The Seasiders have slipped from third to sixth after three losses in a row, although just 21 points separate them from Swanage in second.
Skipper Harry Mitchell, like his Dorchester counterpart Dunham, believes enjoyment will be key in turning fortunes around.
He said: “We need to go back to enjoying our cricket more, this season is done and dusted and we’re not going to finish where we want (top).
“We’re clearly safe, not going down, so it’s how high we can get in the table. We’ll keep blooding more younger players into the team, give them an opportunity up the order.
“We’ll develop them that way and we’ll be looking positive for next season.
“We’ll just enjoy every game, there’s not many left, and Swanage is a beautiful ground. We’re really looking forward to going.”
All-rounder Jonny Armfield returns, along with top-order batsman Joe James.
Weymouth match ball sponsor: Advoco Accountants
In Division Three, Charlton Down host Hamworthy Seconds with the possibility of securing promotion back to County Division Two.
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