Wessex Internet Dorset Cricket League - week ten previews

Christchurch have won just once in nine matches this season and sit ninth of ten teams in the standings at the halfway point.

Their form contrasts to Dorchester, who occupy second in the table and have won three of the past four league titles.

However, Legg acknowledged an impressive win for Christchurch last time out, in which they smashed 321 against Broadstone.

He told Echosport: “There’s no extra pressure on us, we just need to go out there and perform.

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“We’ve got a team full of talent and should be looking to pick up 20 points.

“It could be a tricky time to play them. They scored 321 last weekend so as a bowling unit we just need to look to apply some pressure and take our chances when the opportunity comes.”

Dorchester Seconds visit Poole Town Thirds in County Division Three, while Dorchester Thirds entertain Poole Fifths at St Osmund’s in Division Six.

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

Dorchester are one of three teams separated by three points down to fourth place, with neighbours Bere Regis hot on their heels.

Brian Keegan’s men claimed an eye-catching win over champions Poole last week and tomorrow host a Broadstone side that beat them on the opening day.

Keegan said: “That opening game of the season we got caught on a green top and got turned over by them. They bowled very well that day.

“Hopefully this time round it will be a little bit different. We’re wary of what Broadstone can bring but we need to concentrate on ourselves.

“Obviously it was a great result for us against Poole and the atmosphere at the club, with both team doing well, is very good. Winning one game doesn’t mean you’re going to win the rest, you have to focus.

“If we’ve got any aspirations of getting up that table, we’ve got to keep winning.”

Tom Munnings replaces the unavailable Pete Russell in Bere’s only change.

Tom Munnings, right, replaces Pete Russell for Bere Regis (Image: DAVID LOVELL)

Bere Regis Seconds visit Broadstone Seconds in Division Three tomorrow (1pm).

Bere: Rich Cole, Talbot, T Goodhew, Robertson, Munnings, J Keegan, Murphy, Payne, Rogerson, B Keegan, Walbridge.

Bere main sponsor: Booth Gadenne.

Bere first XI match ball sponsor: Bere Regis Dental Practice.

Bere second XI match ball sponsor: Dorset Reclamation.

Elsewhere in the Premier, Martinstown are hoping to avoid a Poole Town backlash when the sides lock horns at Lower Ashton Farm tomorrow (1pm).

Town skipper Charlie Durant is wary of Poole’s aptitude in responding to defeats with a victory in their next game.

He said: “I fully believe we got enough quality to win, we’re full of confidence.

“But we know how good Poole are and they’re really going to be up for it, it’s almost the worst time to play off the back of a defeat.

“They won’t want to lose two in two, that could mean they don’t win the title.”

Martinstown make two changes as Ry Gerety and 15-year-old leg spinner Jadan Gerety makes his first-team debut. Jack Kane and Fraser Hill (both unavailable) miss out.

Martinstown Seconds visit Hamworthy Rec Seconds in Division Four tomorrow (1pm).

Martinstown: Nichols, Lewis, S Williams, Maltby, F Williams, S Gerety, R Gerety, J Gerety, Coombs, Trotter, Durant.

In Division One, Portland Red Triangle are up against bottom side Hamworthy Rec tomorrow (1pm).

Matt Randell’s men welcome Rec to Reforne looking to avoid becoming only their second scalp of the season, also knowing any defeat would harm their chances of gaining on the top four.

Randell said: “I’m not available for this one and I missed this game last year when they hit a league record.

“Matt Barrett was captaining so he can stay away from the captain’s job this week!

“With Hamworthy you never know what you’re going to get, so we’ll look to correct the wrongs from last year at home.

“The boys are keen to make sure we get that win at home, it was a little embarrassing last year.”

James Potts skippers the side in Randell’s absence, with Triangle making a late call on selection.

Triangle Seconds visit Wareham in Division Five tomorrow (1pm).

Also in Division One, Puddletown are aiming to bounce back for last week’s defeat by Portland when they host Stalbridge tomorrow at Plush (1pm).

Ryan Norman’s men are ninth in the table, with their opponents in fourth and in contention for the title.

Norman said: “Stalbridge are a good side and have been for many years.

“But if you can get into them you’ve got opportunities to keep the runs down. Obviously, Stu Sweatman is vital for them.

“We’re confident and hopefully we can turn things around for the second half of the season.”

All-rounder Rob Snow returns to the Puddletown line-up this week (Image: GRAHAM HUNT)

Puddletown: Ry Norman, Re Norman, Snow, Weir, Eccleson, S Chaldecott, C Chaldecott, Barrett, J Morris, D Morris, Phillips.

In Division Two, Weymouth face a big couple of weeks as they host second-placed Shaftesbury at Redlands tomorrow (1pm) before travelling to leaders Corfe Mullen.

Lloyd Beals’ Seasiders are currently perched in fourth, 20 points behind Shaftesbury.

Beals said: “A couple of wins will really put the pigeon amongst the cats. A couple of losses will be devastating.

“But we play to win no matter what stage of the season and opposition, so it’s just another battle for me.”

On Shaftesbury, he added: “They’re not world beaters. The reverse fixture was rained off and I missed the last game of the season in 2022.

“I’ve personally only played them once and they seemed like a decent batting unit.”

Ex-Dorset all-rounder Ben Lawes, right, makes his second appearance for Weymouth this season (Image: DORSET ECHO)

Unbeaten Weymouth Seconds visit Puddletown Seconds in Division Five tomorrow (1pm).

Weymouth: England, Beals, Walton, B Lawes, Gregory, Wills, Womble, Guyett, Soar, Tarry, Urumancheri.

Matchday sponsor: Active Mobility.

Player sponsor: Advoco Accountants.

Ground renovation sponsor: GRBS.