BERE Regis skipper Brian Keegan urged his players to bring their “A game” for the visit of Martinstown in the Wessex Internet Dorset Premier League tomorrow (1pm).
Keegan’s men are flying high in fourth, 28 points behind leaders Wimborne with five matches to go.
But against a resurgent Martinstown, the wicketkeeper means business as Bere look to turn up the heat on the teams above them.
He told Echosport: “They seem to have picked up over the last month and a half, giving better performances, and were unlucky in a couple of games.
“We’ve got to do our basics right and just concentrate on ourselves. Martinstown have not got an ultra-aggressive brand of cricket but they do like to play a more modern way.
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“They’ve got some dangerous players but if we play to the best of our ability, that should get us over the line. You’ve got to bring your A game.”
Meanwhile, opposing skipper Charlie Durant is looking to correct a run of four straight losses against Bere, with his side winless since May 2021.
He said: “It will definitely be competitive. The feisty edge has gone over the last few games.
“We had a couple of incidents in 2021 but every game since they’ve thrashed us, we tend to keep our mouths quiet when we’re losing!
“Hopefully, we can put a few things right. It would be nice to beat them. We know they’re a good side and they’ve got a fair few scalps this year so it would be nice to get one over on them.”
Bere bring back Tim Goodhew and Rich Payne at the expense of James Keegan and Rob Murphy, while Martinstown name a 13-man squad with Charlie Andrews omitted.
Bere Regis Seconds visit Royal Challengers in County Division Three, while Martinstown Seconds host Ashmore in Division Four (both 1pm tomorrow).
Bere: Russell, Rich Cole, Talbot, S Goodhew, Robertson, T Goodhew, Griffiths, Munnings, Payne, B Keegan, Walbridge.
Martinstown (from): Lewis, Nichols, S Williams, Maltby, F Williams, Hill, Kane, Coombs, Durant, R Gerety, Trotter, J Gerety, Read.
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, Dorchester are intent on bridging a 13-point gap to Wimborne.
Jon Legg’s men travel to promoted side Blandford, in eighth, tomorrow (1pm) after a successful week in the Dorchester Evening League, securing a league and cup double.
Legg said: “We know what we need to do and I believe the lads can play on any surface and in any conditions.
“We’re looking forward to playing there as we haven’t played there for a few years and just hope the weather is an improvement.
“No worries about the lads going in cold after a week off, most of us have played some Evening League or have rested up and are ready to go again.”
Tomorrow (1pm), leaders Dorchester Seconds host Abbotsbury in Division Three, while Dorchester Thirds have a bye weekend and return to Division Six action at Colehill on Saturday, August 5.
Dorchester: Legg, Jones, Buckley, Mitchem, Belt, Rajendar, Subramanian, Dunham, Barrett, Peach, Stewart.
In Division One, Puddletown welcome bottom side Hamworthy Rec to Plush tomorrow (1pm) with just 22 points separating the two.
Ryan Norman’s men are precariously placed in eighth, the final safe position above Beaminster in the drop zone.
And vice-captain Adam Barrett believes the fixture takes on extra significance in that context.
He said: “We had a positive result when we played them earlier in the season, so it’s going to be a case of much the same.
“Hopefully we can get a win and pull ourselves further clear of the drop zone.”
Puddletown were frustratingly called up to Swanage despite a deluge of rain on Saturday.
Barrett added: “None of us were happy, there was rain before we left so to make us travel we were disappointed.
“We’ve got to hope the weather improves this week and we’re looking forward to getting a game in.”
Puddletown: Snow, Barrett, Ry Norman, Re Norman, D Morris, J Morris, Weir, S Chaldecott, Allen, Gosney, AN Other.
Puddletown Seconds host Stalbridge Development at Puddletown Rec in Division Five tomorrow (1pm).
Portland Red Triangle face a long trip to Poole Park to face Division One leaders Poole Town Seconds tomorrow (1pm).
Hoping to earn promotion into the same tier are Weymouth, who lie second in Division Two, 15 points behind Corfe Mullen and seven ahead of Shaftesbury.
Lloyd Beals’ men face Parley Seconds at Redlands tomorrow (1pm), the Seasiders having earned a crushing 201-run victory in the reverse fixture.
Beals feel Weymouth have five more cup finals to come, saying: “I don’t care what anyone says, they had a strong team out when we played them away.
“Hopefully they bring their best, we welcome any challenge. This is the 14th of 18 cup finals.”
Division Five leaders Weymouth Seconds travel to Slades Farm to play Winton Seconds tomorrow (1pm).
Weymouth: England, Beals, Womble, Gregory, Wills, J Sapsworth, Mitchell, Guyett, Tarry, Urumancheri, Hoyes.
Matchday sponsor: Active Mobility.
Player sponsor: Advoco Accountants.
Ground renovation sponsor: GRBS.
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