DORCHESTER are ‘well equipped’ to beat holders Poole Town and continue their Wessex Internet Dorset Premier League title chase, skipper Jon Legg believes.
Legg, who has been selected for Dorset against Cornwall on Sunday after a five-year absence from the senior team, first faces a daunting challenge at Poole Park tomorrow (1pm).
Last summer, Poole ended Dorchester’s three-year reign as Dorset champions. They now sit third in the 2023 table, just three points behind the county town side.
Despite Poole possessing a formidable record at home, Legg is aiming to put pressure on the champions.
He told Echosport: “You’ve got to be confident going to Poole, not many teams get a result but there are always chances.
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“We have to be ready and willing to take this chance. They’ve struggled with the bat recently and our line-up is well-equipped for Poole’s wicket.
“We’re hoping to get on top early and keep the pressure on them.”
Dorchester name a squad of 12, including Jack Owens and Eral Anderson.
Dorchester Seconds visit County Division Three’s bottom side Kingston Lacy, while Dorchester Thirds host Marnhull Thirds at St Osmund’s in Division Six (both 1pm tomorrow).
Dorchester (from): Legg, Jones, Ryall, Mitchem, Belt, Rajendar, Subramanian, Narasimhan, Barrett, Stewart, Owens, Anderson.
If Dorchester have an unenviable task, then Bere Regis have an equally challenging mission at unbeaten leaders Wimborne tomorrow (1pm).
The Minstermen top the table by 26 points from Dorchester, with Bere 41 points behind in fourth.
Bere skipper Brian Keegan said: “It’s a different kettle of fish this week against Wimborne, they haven’t lost yet.
“We have to improve on our performance from last Saturday. If we don’t it’s going to be a very long afternoon. We’re capable but we’ve got to be in the right mindset and execute the basics.
“Hopefully, we revert back to type and it was just a blip.”
Bere are without the unavailable Theo Talbot and Rob Murphy, plus Rich Payne (groin). In come Sam Goodhew, Pete Russell and Dave Griffiths.
Bere Regis Seconds entertain Poole Town Thirds in Division Three tomorrow (1pm).
Bere: Russell, Rich Cole, Robertson, S Goodhew, T Goodhew, Munnings, Griffiths, Rogerson, J Keegan, 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 Property Surveys.
Elsewhere in the Premier, Martinstown are targeting a fourth win from five games when they visit bottom side Christchurch tomorrow (1pm).
Charlie Durant’s side lost a low-scoring thriller with Poole by two wickets on Saturday, but the Town captain will this week only accept one outcome.
He said: “In terms of league position and looking at the fixtures we’ve got coming up after that, it’s a must-win for us.
“That would be four wins out of five and stands us in good stead to pick up a win or two in the tough fixtures we’ve got.
“As a bowling unit we’ll be going in full of confidence. Maybe confidence is lacking after a small total with the bat, but I believe in the boys that they can put it right.”
Ed Nichols misses out as Jack Kane comes in, while Nathan McNab is added to a squad of 12.
Martinstown Seconds host Witchampton Seconds in Division Four tomorrow (1pm).
Martinstown: Lewis, S Williams, S Gerety, Maltby, Kane, F Williams, White, Coombs, R Gerety, Trotter, Durant.
Meanwhile, Portland Red Triangle are aiming to bounce back to winning ways after being skittled for 103 against Hamworthy last week.
Matt Randell’s men visit Swanage this week and the skipper expects another close battle, in keeping with previous contests.
He said: “It’s a big one. You look at the table and everyone’s been quite close all season. A few losses in a row and all of a sudden you could find yourself near the bottom.
“It’s definitely a big one to try and bounce back, get as many points on the board as possible.
“It always has been a tight contest and I’m expecting the same this weekend. It’s probably about 50/50, we had a tight one up there last year and the season before we had a tight one at home.
“It’s usually a good game and they’ve got some key players we’ll be looking to target early.”
Randell and Callan Laws return at the expense of Coralie Russell and Craig Marsh.
Triangle Seconds host Wimborne Fourths in Division Five (both 1pm tomorrow).
Triangle: Laws, M Barrett, Randell, D Adkins, Samuel, I Russell, Price, Moles, J Marsh, Johnson, Potts.
Also in Division One, Puddletown host Beaminster at Plush tomorrow (1pm).
Kingfishers’ captain Ryan Norman is not taking the match-up lightly despite Beaminster falling to bottom spot last weekend.
He said: “They’ve got a couple of seasoned players and some good young players so I’m not expecting an easy game.
“I don’t think the table particularly tells a true story all the time, but we’ll go into it in good spirits looking to win.”
Puddletown Seconds visit Winton Seconds in Division Five tomorrow (1pm).
In Division Two, third-placed Weymouth travel to leaders Corfe Mullen for an appetising clash.
Lloyd Beals’ men comprehensively beat a negative Shaftesbury by 68 runs last time out, while Corfe were surprisingly defeated at Compton House.
Weymouth twice beat Corfe last season, notably in the T20 Trophy final, but were hammered by 171 runs away.
Beals said: “The season isn’t over if we lose, but in regards to chances of winning the league it will certainly make things interesting.
“They caught us off-guard up there last year. That won’t be happening this time.
“I expect an extremely tough battle and the beacons have been lit.”
Unbeaten Weymouth Seconds host Wareham at Redlands in Division Five tomorrow (1pm).
Weymouth: England, Beals, Lawes, Gregory, Webb, Wills, J Sapsworth, J Armfield, Guyett, Tarry, Hoyes.
Matchday sponsor: Active Mobility.
Player sponsor: Advoco Accountants.
Ground renovation sponsor: GRBS.
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