Wessex Internet Dorset Cricket League: Week three previews

The two sides lock horns once again in the Wessex Internet Dorset Premier League, with Dorchester looking for a third straight win over their nearest neighbours.

Legg told Echosport: “It’s another big game, unsure what to expect from Martinstown, they’ve lost a few players looking at their team from a couple of weeks ago.

“We’ve just got to stick to what we do best and adapt if it comes to it, which we know we are capable of.

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“The rivalry is pretty intense but for us nothing changes, we go out and do what we do best. We’re pretty settled, I’d say, as a team so we know our capabilities.”

Legg’s opposite number Charlie Durant hinted the timing of the fixture could work well with both teams washed out last weekend.

He said: “Last season we didn’t put up our finest performances against them, they’re arguably the best team in the league.

“We’ll go there and give it a good go as we always do, they won’t have played much cricket at the Rec.”

Dorchester make two changes to the side that would have faced Poole, James Dunham and Brandon King replaced by Gautham Rajendar and Tom Joslin.

Will Maltby (broken finger) is back in a cast but Martinstown are otherwise unchanged.

Dorchester Seconds and Thirds visit Royal Challengers and Verwood Thirds in County Divisions Three and Six respectively tomorrow, while Martinstown Seconds host Marnhull Seconds in Division Four.

Dorchester: Legg, Jones, Ryall, Mitchem, Barrett, Belt, Rajendar, Nobbs, Subramanian, Narasimhan, T Joslin.

Martinstown: S Gerety, S Williams, Nichols, Lewis, F Williams, R Gerety, Kane, Hill, Coombs, Durant, Trotter.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Bere Regis visit Christchurch looking to make tangible improvements following their opening-day loss to Broadstone.

Captain Brian Keegan said: “We’re short of cricket and obviously the result didn’t go our way in the first game.

“There’s a few things we need to improve going into the Christchurch game. I’m wary of the game we played there last year.

“They gave us a good game, it shows the threat they can pose. We’ve got to go in wary but also play our own game.”

Bere replace Rich Cole, Pete Russell and Jacob Kennard with Dean Rogerson, Dave Griffiths and Cleay Perham.

Bere Seconds host Kingston Lacy in County Division Three tomorrow (1pm).

Bere: Talbot, S Goodhew, Robertson, T Goodhew, Griffiths, Rogerson, Murphy, Payne, Walbridge, Keegan, Perham.

Bere main sponsor: Booth Gadenne

First and second XI match ball sponsor: Dorset Property Surveys

In County Division One, Portland Red Triangle are targeting their second win of the season, Wimborne Seconds their latest opponents.

Ryan Price, right, misses out for Portland against Wimborne Seconds (Image: GRAHAM HUNT)

Matt Randell’s men disposed of Hamworthy Rec by six wickets on the opening day and Triangle tomorrow go into their home clash at Reforne in confident mood.

Randell said: “They lost their first game and it seemed like they were a bit boring, they couldn’t chase down 220 but didn’t get bowled out.

“If they’re going to come up with that approach all season then they’re not going to win many games. We’ll look to go out and be positive and aggressive.

“Hopefully if we do that then we can just contain them.”

Portland make three changes, with Rich Samuel, Jon Cameron and Ryan Price making way for Simon Proffitt, Joe Adkins and Izaak Russell.

Triangle’s second string visit Winton Seconds in County Division Five tomorrow (both 1pm).

Triangle: Laws, Proffitt, Randell, M Barrett, D Adkins, Russell, J Adkins, Edwards, J Marsh, Potts, Moles.

Puddletown, meanwhile, have 18 players unavailable for their trip to Witchampton, who narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League last season.

However, despite the selection headache, Puddle skipper Ryan Norman has several key players back this week including ex-captain Adam Barrett and all-rounder Adam Weir.

Norman said: “They’re a decent side with some wily old foxes up there. I know some of the younger boys up there as well, so it’s not going to be an easy game.

“Getting the win under your belts gets you into the season, if get on a winning run everything seems to work, so getting the first win is important.”

Puddletown: Ry Norman, Re Norman, Barrett, Weir, S Chaldecott, Arkell, J Morris, Eastment, Chalstery, Eccleson, Edwards.

While some teams are chasing their first win, Weymouth are still aiming to play their opening match after washouts against Shaftesbury and Corfe Mullen.

The Seasiders travel to promoted side Sherborne Seconds in Division Two, with vice-captain Tom England urging his side to be “on our guard” for the contest.

England, who stands in for unavailable skipper Lloyd Beals, said: “We’re really looking forward to getting the season under way after a couple of washouts.

“We face a tough challenge, they will be full of confidence after gaining promotion last year. We expect a tough game and we have to be on our guard from the off.

“I expect everyone to be up for it and raring to go, we have to apply ourselves and play to our strengths to give us the best opportunity of a positive result.”

Weymouth Seconds host Wimborne Fourths in Division Five tomorrow.

Weymouth: England, Womble, Walton, Tarry, Wills, J Sapsworth, Nott, Baker, Jose, Urumancheri, Hoyes.

Matchday sponsor: Active Mobility

Player sponsor: Advoco Accountants

Ground renovation sponsor: GRBS