DORCHESTER captain Dan Belt signalled his team’s intention to “prove a point” against rivals Bere Regis in their Dorset Premier League derby at Dorchester Rec tomorrow (1pm).

Bere Regis did the double over Dorchester last season and could leapfrog their neighbours with victory as just 13 points separate Belt’s men in second and Bere in fourth.

The duo are part of a top four including leaders Wimborne and third-placed Poole covered by just 20 points in what is shaping up to be the most open title race for years.

And the derby is given extra heat by both sides’ familiarity with the opposition, plus the fact a number of ex-Dorchester players now turn out for Bere.

READ MORE: Dorchester beat Cattistock & Symene by six wickets

Speaking to Echosport, Belt admitted champions Dorchester are intent on showing who is boss.

He said: “In the last three or four years it’s a game we haven’t done great in.

“We’re looking to prove a point, stamp our authority on it and go into it looking for the win.

“We’ll go out there, try and do what we’ve done for the whole season so far, try and play decent cricket and get the win.”

He added: “We’ve got involved with them too much in the last couple of years, so it’s a matter of keeping our cool and concentrating on the cricket, letting the cricket do the talking.”

Meanwhile, Bere skipper Brian Keegan noted the added “spice” of the encounter.

He said: “There was much to choose between the sides last year. I know they ended up winning the league, they deserve all the respect and plaudits they get.

“They’ve won the league for the last three years. We’re looking forward to the game and to compete.

“We’re in a reasonably good place. We know them quite well as they do us.

“Add the Dorchester links, add a bit of spice from our perspective, we’ve got to be professional and do our jobs. There’s no point letting emotion getting involved in the situation.

“We’ve played each other so many times, that isn’t an issue any more. We always want to get one over on your near neighbours but you’ve got to do your job and play your own game.”

Dorchester’s Eral Anderson (unavailable) misses out, while Billy Baker and Tom Joslin drop to the second and third team respectively. In come Seb Carty, Jack Owens and Scott Peach.

Bere Regis make three changes as Dave Griffiths, Pete Russell and Pete Macklin miss out for Jacob Kennard, Tim Goodhew and Jake Perch.

Dorchester: Ryall, Mitchem, Rajendar, Carty, Peak, Belt, Legg, Owens, Peach, Nobbs, Dunham.

Bere Regis: M King, Payne, T Goodhew, Robertson, Kennard, Murphy, Rogerson, Rich Cole, Munnings, Perch, Keegan.

Bere main sponsor: Booth Gadenne

Bere first and second XI match ball sponsor: Chat-Com Ltd

Dorchester Seconds visit rivals Weymouth in County Division Two, while Dorchester Thirds have a bye weekend in Division Six, returning to action on Saturday, July 9 at Swanage Thirds.

Bere Regis Seconds host Cattistock & Symene Seconds at Bere Regis Rec in Division Three (all 1.30pm tomorrow).

Back to the Premier League, Martinstown are hoping to nip their inconsistency in the bud when they host Christchurch tomorrow (1pm).

The Lower Ashton Farm side have lost two and won two of their past four games, placing them in sixth spot, some 62 points off leaders Wimborne.

Speaking to Echosport, co-skipper Charlie Durant said: “We’ve been a little inconsistent this season. Every time we’ve won, we’ve lost the next game.

“Christchurch are a better side than last year but I still think we should be beating them, then we’ve got a big game against Puddletown.

“Hopefully we can go back-to-back against these two and get a bit of momentum going.

“Last year we scored 400 in 45 overs against (Christchurch) but they’ve come back and are a lot different but I think we should have enough to beat them.”

Dave Trotter drops to the seconds, while Ralph Daubeney misses out. Ed Nichols and Charlie Andrews come back in.

Martinstown: Nichols, S Williams, W Maltby, Hill, R Gerety, Kershaw, Je Stewart, E Maltby, C Andrews, Durant, Coombs.

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

Elsewhere in the Premier League, bottom side Puddletown are bidding for their second victory of the season when they host Broadstone at Plush tomorrow (1pm).

Adam Barrett’s men have a solitary win against Cattistock & Symene to their name but fancy their chances of causing an upset against fifth-placed Broadstone.

Explaining why, Barrett said: “I’ve had a look at the table and they’re midway so it’s a game we can look to do well in.

“There’s no reason why we can’t put up a decent fight and maybe cause an upset.

“There are no easy games in the Premier League. I know a couple of the Broadstone lads, the captain Dan Cook I used to play county with – he’s obviously a very good bat.

“They’re going to be a well-drilled side and they have a lot of experience as well.

“But the game’s at Plush – maybe some of them haven’t played there before.

“We’re going to really look to take advantage of this home opportunity and try a few different things to hopefully change momentum and pick up another win.”

Puddletown make five changes with Steve and Callum Chaldecott, Alex Fairman, James Morris and Jordan King missing out.

In come Jamie Edwards, Adam Weir, Tom Arkell, Chris Eastment and Gordon Wint.

Puddletown: Edwards, Re Norman, Barrett, Wint, Weir, Snow, Clarke, Eastment, Ry Norman, Arkell, D Morris.

Puddletown Seconds host Poole Town Fourths at Puddletown Rec in Division Five tomorrow (1.30pm).

In Division One, Portland Red Triangle tackle Stalbridge at Reforne, looking for their first home win of the season tomorrow (1.30pm).

Matt Randell’s men took an entertaining 23-run win at Compton House last time out, breaking a run of four straight defeats.

And Triangle’s sights are now set on another milestone win.

Randell said: “I’ve played against Stalbridge a number of times now and they’re always a good side.

“They usually have a lot of depth so it’s just about making sure we take risks and look to take them on, play some brave cricket and try to put them off their line and length as much as possible.

“That’s key when you’re playing against a team like Stalbridge. It will more be on us than letting the game play out. It would be nice to get a win at home.”

Portland are without Joe and Dave Adkins, Jon Cameron, Callan Laws and Matt Barrett.

In come Simon Proffitt, Andy West, Calum Doughty, Max Griffin and an unnamed player.

Portland: Randell, Proffitt, Russell, Price, Samuel, West, Doughty, Griffin, Potts, J Marsh, AN Other.

Portland Red Triangle Seconds visit Witchampton Seconds in Division Five tomorrow (1.30pm).

Elsewhere, Weymouth host Dorchester Seconds in Division Two targeting a derby victory at Redlands tomorrow (1.30pm).

With plenty on the line in the local derby, home skipper Harry Mitchell is seeking a big performance from his players after the 171-run loss to Corfe Mullen last time out.

He said: "First and foremost, we're going to win the game but it has an edge of a derby, even though it is against a Dorch Seconds side.

"It's going to be fiercely-contested and I'm expecting them to put out a good side and for it to be a really tight game with both teams doing all they can to win."

Weymouth welcome back numerous players for the clash, including Tommy England and Tim Guyett, but will make a last-minute selection call.

The Seasiders' unbeaten second string visit Cattistock & Symene Thirds in Division Six tomorrow (1.30pm).