BERE Regis will aim to consolidate their place at the top of the Wessex Internet Dorset Premier League when they tackle Broadstone at the Delph tomorrow (12.30pm).
Brian Keegan’s men have so far beaten holders Wimborne and Sherborne, before the rain starved Bere of the opportunity to face fellow unbeaten side Dorchester.
However, Bere are favourites to book a third win of the season against winless Broadstone.
Keegan told Echosport: “They haven’t made the greatest of starts but I’m sure they will be strong. They have the players.
READ MORE: Bere Regis upset champions Wimborne by 50 runs
“It’s not the easiest of places to go to, so it’s the old adage that we need to concentrate on ourselves. This will show how far we’ve come consistency wise.
“If you look at our record against them last year we lost both games, so it’s something we want to change.”
Bere welcome back Pete Russell, Rich Payne and Tom Munnings, with Theo Talbot and Tim Goodhew unavailable, and James Keegan playing for the seconds, who are at home to Puddletown in Division Two tomorrow (1pm).
Bere: Russell, Rich Cole, Payne, S Goodhew, Munnings, Anderson, Robertson, Murphy, Kennard, B Keegan, Rogerson.
Bere main sponsor: Booth Gadenne.
Bere first XI match ball sponsor: GMS Plumbing and Heating.
Bere second XI match ball sponsor: Dorset Reclamation.
Elsewhere in Premier One, Dorchester face old rivals Wimborne at The Leaze tomorrow (12.30pm).
Gautham Rajendar’s men could leapfrog Wimborne with their third victory in three completed games.
Key to victory may prove Dorchester’s bowling attack on a batter-friendly Leaze track.
Rajendar said: “We’ve always had close games against them, home or away, so we’re looking forward to it.
“We’ve bowled out both the sides we’ve played this season, we’ve got to back ourselves to do the same.”
Early leaders Dorchester Seconds face a top-of-the-table clash at home to Shaftesbury tomorrow (1pm) in Division Two.
Dorchester Thirds make the short trip to Charlton Down Seconds in Division Six West, while Dorchester Fourths host Broadstone Fourths at St Osmund’s in Six East (both 1pm tomorrow).
Dorchester: Belt, Hill, Rajendar, Jones, Owens, Barrett, Je Stewart, Ryall, Peach, Mitchem, Maltby.
Martinstown are another side with a 100 per cent record and will look to keep their Premier Two copybook clean at Blandford tomorrow (12.30pm).
Blandford last season beat Charlie Durant’s men by 66 runs and the Town skipper is fully aware of the difficulty tariff this weekend.
Blandford are yet to taste victory but Durant senses no vulnerability.
“Not at all,” he said.
“I still think they’re a good side, they had a tough game against Chalke and (Mike Salmon) scored a ton for Swanage, which can happen.
“They finished above us last year and beat us soundly. We won’t be taking anything for granted.
“The lads are firing with the bat. It would be nice if they didn’t have to chase a massive total and we can start taking some wickets.”
Martinstown Seconds host Colehill in Division Four tomorrow (1pm).
Martinstown: Nichols, Lewis, S Williams, R Gerety, F Williams, Kane, Hill, J Gerety, Durant, Trotter, Samways.
Martinstown main sponsor: The Brewers Arms.
In County Division One, Weymouth are hunting back-to-back wins when they visit reigning champions Witchampton tomorrow (1pm).
Lloyd Beals’ men won a low-scoring encounter with Corfe Mullen last week and the Seasiders’ skipper wants his batters to be more “proactive” this weekend.
He said: “Our tails are up and we’re itching to play again.
“It’s a tough place to get a result, however, we have to go there at some point, no better time than after beating a top team. Bring it on.”
He added: “Some people get so obsessed with reading conditions they let themselves get bogged down.
“We need to bowl better and be more proactive with the bat, a lot more proactive.”
Weymouth Seconds top Division Four with three wins and host Swanage Seconds at Redlands tomorrow (1pm).
Weymouth: England, Haylock, Walton, Gregory, Wills, J Sapsworth, Beals, Guyett, Mitchell, Hoyes, Jose.
Matchday sponsor: Active Mobility.
Divisional rivals Portland Red Triangle will be looking to bounce back from last week’s defeat against early leaders Marnhull.
Matt Randell’s charges host Corfe Mullen aiming to improve on their current position of seventh place.
Triangle will stick with the same attacking foundations but Randell also called for more responsibility from his batters this week.
He said: “We’ll continue to improve on what that gameplan is. There’s some new faces around the team and some old faces coming back.
“Really for us it’s about focusing on what our best gameplan is. It’s how we can apply that better.
“It’s a nice opportunity to do that with not too much riding on this season.”
Portland welcome back Izaak Russell for George Munro in their only change.
Triangle Seconds visit Puddletown Seconds in Division Five tomorrow (1pm).
Triangle: Laws, Barrett, D Adkins, Randell, J Adkins, Russell, Price, Samuel, J Marsh, Davey, L Adkins.
Searching for their first victory this season, Puddletown make the short trip to Bere Regis Seconds in Division Two tomorrow (1pm).
Adam Barrett’s men is wary of their near neighbours, who have strengthened after coming up from Division Three.
“I know their first team have been doing really well and a couple of their guys have dropped down into the seconds,” he said.
“I know Garry King really well, their captain, and obviously his brother Matt has been playing.
“Sean Walbridge is a top bowler so they’re stronger than some were expecting. We’re going to have to be at our best to compete.”
Puddletown will make a late call on selection.
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