DORCHESTER captain Jon Legg admitted the home battle with Broadstone tomorrow (1pm) is a “big game” for the club.
Dorchy endured a shock loss to Blandford last time out and dropped one place in the Wessex Internet Dorset Premier League to third, 27 points behind Wimborne and nine adrift of Poole Town.
With four games to go, they must hope Wimborne slip up twice – including against Dorchester in the penultimate match of the season.
Legg told Echosport: “It’s a big game for us really, we need to get the full 20 points and then hope that Wimborne slip up next week against Poole and then against us the week after.
READ MORE: Dorchester lose to Blandford by 17 runs
“We need to put last week behind us and perform to the best of our abilities, we’ve got the team to do it.”
Dorchester have a selection headache with a number of players making themselves available, and will make a late call on their final 11.
County Division Three leaders Dorchester Seconds visit Cattistock & Symene Seconds, while Dorchester Thirds travel to leaders Colehill in Division Six (both tomorrow 1pm).
From 2pm at the Rec today there will be a fundraiser for young Dorchester player Nevah Richards, following her diagnosis with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer.
Should you wish to donate to her online fundraiser, please click here.
Elsewhere in the Premier, Bere Regis are waiting to pounce if any of the top three lose.
Brian Keegan’s men are just three points behind Dorchester in fourth, and only 30 off Wimborne.
Bere host Sherborne tomorrow (1pm) looking to make amends for a 30-run loss at the Terrace in June.
Keegan said: “From last weekend, our top six didn’t fire and we have to address that with a little more thought going into the game plan.
“The ground fielding and catching needs to improve, otherwise we’ll make life extremely difficult for ourselves.
“Sherborne are a decent side and we had a reverse to them earlier in the season, obviously we want to put that right.”
Bere Regis make one change as Theo Talbot makes way for Rob Murphy.
Bere Regis Seconds, fourth in Division Three, travel to fifth-placed Shillingstone tomorrow (1pm).
Bere: Russell, Munnings, S Goodhew, Robertson, T Goodhew, Murphy, Rich Cole, Griffiths, Payne, B Keegan, Walbridge.
Bere main sponsor: Booth Gadenne.
Bere first XI match ball sponsor: Dorset Property Surveys.
Bere second XI match ball sponsor: Bere Regis Dental Practice.
Martinstown, who last week lost by one wicket to Bere, are in action at home to Blandford tomorrow (1pm).
And captain Charlie Durant is looking to take a leaf out of Blandford’s book and grind out a win should they find themselves in adverse circumstances, as tomorrow’s opponents did against Dorchester last week.
He said: “They did what we couldn’t do against the big teams and defended a low total. Full respect to them, it’s a great result.
“It shows we can’t take anything for granted and they’re in a similar position to us in the league. It will be an evenly-matched game.”
Martinstown have 14 first-team players available but face a dilemma in the second team with low numbers, meaning Town will make a late call on selection.
The seconds visit Blandford Seconds in Division Four tomorrow (1pm).
In Division One, Puddletown are aiming to keep their run of form going at promotion-chasing Chalke Valley tomorrow (1pm).
Ryan Norman’s men have surged up the table to sixth in recent weeks, but face a huge task at third-placed Chalke.
Norman said: “We had a good result on Saturday so if we can go up there and play to our ability we’ve got enough to give them a good game.
“We won last week and jumped up to sixth, so it’s crazy at the moment, but Chalke are pushing to go up. We’ll do whatever we can in our power to get the result for us.”
Puddletown, similarly to Martinstown, will shuffle players between their two teams due to unavailability.
Puddletown Seconds host Wimborne Fourths in County Division Five tomorrow (1pm).
Divisional rivals Portland Red Triangle host second-placed Witchampton having been dragged into the relegation scrap in recent weeks.
They sit one place behind Puddletown but skipper Matt Randell is confident of achieving safety.
He said: “I was thinking if we lose a couple, it could be tight. We’ll look to target this weekend and get a win or take as many points as possible.
“The week after will be a bigger game against Beaminster in the context.
“One win would certainly make us feel quite comfortable but then it depends on the games around us.
“Ideally, we just win the last games and it ends any conversations about relegation.”
Portland (from): Laws, M Barrett, Russell, Randell, Carolan, Dennis, Moles, Potts, J Marsh, Samuel, Davey, Price.
Portland’s second string visit Lytchett in Division Five tomorrow (1pm).
Lastly, Weymouth are looking to consolidate their spot in the promotion places when they entertain Compton House at Redlands tomorrow (1pm).
The Seasiders are second, 23 points above House, who have improved to third in recent weeks, but the Seasiders trail leaders Corfe Mullen by 15 points with four games left.
Weymouth skipper Lloyd Beals said: “We’re thoroughly looking forward to the challenge. The game is a lot bigger for them than it is for us as their season will effectively be over.”
On catching Corfe, Beals added: “Never rule anything out. We need a 16-point swing, as long as it’s possible we believe.
“However, first and foremost, securing second spot is the priority.”
Weymouth: England, Gregory, Womble, Wilson, Beals, Wills, J Sapsworth, Mitchell, Tarry, Urumancheri, Hoyes.
Matchday sponsor: Active Mobility.
Player sponsor: Advoco Accountants.
Ground renovation sponsor: GRBS.
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