DORCHESTER will take no notice of Martinstown’s poor form ahead of their Dorset Premier League derby at Lower Ashton Farm tomorrow (1pm), skipper Dan Belt says.
While Dorchester are sitting in third place, Martinstown are looking over their shoulder at a potential relegation battle after losing the past three games.
Charlie Durant’s men sit just 30 points ahead of bottom side Cattistock & Symene with six games remaining – a potential 120 points to play for.
Dorchester have their own concerns at the sharp end of the table, lying some 25 points adrift of unbeaten leaders Wimborne & Colehill.
READ MORE: Weymouth hold nerve to win T20 Trophy thriller
And Belt will afford Martinstown the utmost respect going into the clash.
He told Echosport: “Obviously it’s a local derby. They’ve been in poor form, it makes you more aware of what they’re capable of.
“That’s how we’ll be looking at the game, as if they’re near the top and playing their best cricket.”
Dorchester thrashed Puddletown by 178 runs last time out, boosting confidence to sky-high levels.
“The boys are in great spirit,” Belt added. “They’re looking forward to going to Martinstown, get runs on the board or take wickets early doors and put in a good performance.
“Everyone’s played there, they know how the ground works and you get reward for your shots.”
Opposing co-captain Durant is looking to bounce back in style after suffering a club-record 255-run loss to Wimborne last time out.
He said: “It would be the perfect way to get out of it and it always tastes a little bit sweeter when you beat Dorch.
“I don’t think there’s any ferocity between us but it’s one of those games where it would be a lovely side to beat.”
Durant called on his side to take their chances, after shelling numerous catches in recent weeks.
He added: “We’ve dropped catches (regularly), which is something we’ve not done for a few years.
“Puddletown we dropped far too many and Bere Regis we dropped the two batsmen that scored runs.
“Against a team like Dorch that’s not something you can afford to do. They’re clinical and they’re going to score a lot of runs if you drop catches.”
Dorchester welcome back Simon Mitchem from a hip injury plus Mike Peak, with Eral Anderson and Devon Derrien making way.
Martinstown make five changes with George Pope, Will Maltby, Sam Kershaw, Nathan McNab and Jacob Coombs coming in.
Martinstown: Nichols, S Williams, G Pope, W Maltby, T Pope, Kershaw, Blair, Durant, McNab, Coombs, F Williams.
Dorchester: Carty, Ryall, Mitchem, Rajendar, Peak, Belt, Legg, Barrett, Owens, Dunham, Nobbs.
Dorchester Seconds host Parley Seconds at Dorchester Rec in County Division Two, while Dorchester Thirds travel to Marnhull Thirds in Division Six.
Elsewhere, Martinstown Seconds visit Abbotsbury in Division Three (all 1.30pm tomorrow).
Back in the Premier League, Bere Regis host Christchurch at Bere Regis Rec tomorrow (1pm) looking to make amends for the three-wicket defeat at Sherborne.
Bere skipper Brian Keegan is hopeful of an improved display but also wary of Christchurch’s batting firepower, despite their low position of eighth in the standings.
He said: “Losing at Sherborne last week we want to put things right.
“Looking at the table it looks an easy fixture but up at Christchurch earlier in the season we saw that they kept going from number one to 11.
“They had a good batting line-up and they’re certainly no mugs. We’ve got respect for them.
“But we’ve got to do what we’re good at and go back to basics, just forget about the Sherborne loss as a blip.”
Bere make two changes, with Jacob Kennard and Rich Cole replaced by Pete Macklin and Tom Munnings.
Bere: M King, Russell, S Goodhew, Robertson, T Goodhew, Murphy, Munnings, Payne, Rogerson, Keegan, P Macklin.
Bere main sponsor: Booth Gadenne
Bere first and second XI match ball sponsor: Dorset Reclamation
Bere Regis Seconds visit Poole Town Thirds in Division Three tomorrow (1.30pm).
Another Premier League side looking to bounce back from a loss is Puddletown, following their thrashing against Dorchester.
Adam Barrett’s ninth-placed side host Sherborne at Plush tomorrow (1pm) looking to extend the gap to Cattistock & Symene and suck Christchurch and Martinstown closer to the drop zone.
Barrett said: “We had a good luck at the league table and we can see that there are a couple of teams above us like Christchurch and potentially Martinstown that could easily get dragged in.
“We’re just trying to keep up with the pack as best we can, take our chances and points as we go.”
All-rounder Adam Weir returns at the expense of Alex Fairman in Puddletown’s only change.
Barrett added: “Obviously Adam coming back in is a big benefit. He got injured last Friday so I’m not sure whether he’s going to be able to bowl or not.
“We’ll have him in alone for his batting. Hopefully we can give it our best and be on the end of a surprise victory.”
Puddletown: Snow, Clarke, Wint, Re Norman, Barrett, Weir, J King, S Chaldecott, Ry Norman, D Morris, J Morris.
Puddletown Seconds host Cheselbourne in Division Five tomorrow (1.30pm).
In Division One, Portland Red Triangle travel to title-chasing Blandford tomorrow (1.30pm).
Blandford, along with leaders Witchampton and Poole Town Seconds, are in the mix for league honours and skipper Matt Randell has one eye on upsetting the odds.
Randell will play for Triangle’s second team after becoming a father last week, with Ryan Price temporarily taking the captaincy.
But Randell is keen to see a big change in form after Hamworthy hammered 434 against Portland last time out, leading to a 267-run defeat.
He said: “The message will be to bounce back, especially the bowling unit. It’s never fun to chase leather all day.
“They’ll look to put a few things right in that department and they started on Sunday in the T20 (Cup final).
“The bowlers that went for runs on Saturday bowled better areas on Sunday.”
Portland make four changes with Price, Ray Emery, Eddie Moles and Dave Clifford coming in.
Triangle: Cameron, M Barrett, Samuel, Laws, Edwards, Russell, J Marsh, Price, Emery, Moles, Clifford.
Portland’s second team host Blandford Seconds in Division Five at Reforne tomorrow (1.30pm).
Lastly, Weymouth are looking to build on a superb weekend for the club which brought wins for their first and second team, plus victory in the T20 Trophy.
Harry Mitchell’s men fought back to beat Charlton Down by 51 runs last time out, having only posted 168-9 in their innings.
However, they now host leaders Beaminster at Redlands tomorrow (1.30pm) looking to do the double over Chris Park’s men, following a classic one-wicket win in May.
Mitchell said: “We’re confident after last week, beating Charlton Down with a low total.
“At Redlands we’re full of confidence and after the T20 victory the club’s on a bit of a high, we’re still buzzing.
“It’s a different format this week but one we’re looking forward to.”
Weymouth welcome back experienced batter Paul Payne, plus big-hitting Tim Guyett and seamer Rob Townley into their squad of 12.
Weymouth (from): Mitchell, Beals, J Sapsworth, P Sapsworth, Payne, Womble, Nott, Taylor, Urumancheri, Somaratne, Guyett, Townley.
Unbeaten Weymouth Seconds are aiming for their 11th win of the season when they visit Lytchett for a top-of-the-table clash in Division Six tomorrow (1.30pm).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here