Wessex Internet Dorset Premier League - week five previews

Rajendar’s side are unbeaten so far, the only blemish on their copybook coming courtesy of a10-point deduction for fielding two unregistered players.

Broadstone, meanwhile, have lost all four of their Wessex Internet Dorset Premier League matches in 2024.

Asked if Broadstone may fear Dorchester, who won three consecutive titles from 2019 to 2021, Rajendar told Echosport: “I highly doubt that would be the case. We’re focusing on ourselves and not much else.

READ MORE: Dorchester too good for champions Wimborne

“It’s a home game for us and we want to be at our best, as always. We’re not treating the game any different.”

The fixture is final 50-over game before the T20 double-headers begin next weekend.

Rajendar added: “We’re not thinking about the T20s just yet, to be fair. We’ll get to it after Broadstone at home.”

Dorchester Seconds visit Broadstone Seconds in County Division Two, Dorchester Thirds have a bye weekend and Dorchester Fourths visit Poole Fifths in Division Six East (all 1pm tomorrow).

Dorchester: Belt, Hill, Rajendar, Jones, Owens, Barrett, Ryall, Nobbs, Mitchem, Kinsey, Maltby.

Premier leaders Bere Regis, meanwhile, host Poole Town.

Despite an underwhelming start for Poole, who sit fifth, Bere captain Brian Keegan is all too aware of their quality and insists his side will be fully focused on the job in hand at Bere Rec.

He said: “I’m going by the yardstick that they’ve been for the last five or 10 years where they’ve been top two in this division.

“I’m not expecting an easy game at all. They’ve always been where we’ve been aspiring to get to.

“Consistency wise that’s exactly what we’ve been trying to emulate.

“We need to impose our game, with what’s been going right for us until now, that’s getting the small things right and keeping it simple, and we need to win the match-ups against them.”

Bere make three changes as Pete Russell, Rich Payne and Jacon Kennard all miss out, with Theo Talbot, Tim Goodhew and James Keegan coming in.

Bere Regis Seconds visit Charlton Down in Division Two tomorrow (1pm).

Bere: Munnings, S Goodhew, Anderson, Robertson, Talbot, T Goodhew, Murphy, Rich Cole, J Keegan, 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.

In Premier Two, Martinstown could close out a perfect fifth win from five games before the T20 stint arrives.

Charlie Durant’s men lead the standings and host Swanage tomorrow (1pm), but the Town skipper fears the impending shorter format could disrupt his side’s momentum.

He said: “It would be the ideal start. To have played everyone and beaten them would be the dream and we’d be in a really strong position.

“It wasn’t something I expected in the slightest. We’ve got a very small squad but that’s almost played into our hands.

“The T20s have come at the worst time, we want to keep the momentum going as long as possible.”

Martinstown welcome back Dave Trotter and Adam Kepple, for Matt Hall and Jonny Samways.

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

Martinstown: Nichols, Lewis, S Williams, Ry Gerety, F Williams, Kane, Hill, J Gerety, Trotter, Durant, Kepple.

Main sponsor: The Brewers Arms, Martinstown.

Elsewhere, Weymouth could claim a hat-trick of Division One victories when they host Compton House at Redlands tomorrow (1pm).

Lloyd Beals’ men have beaten Corfe Mullen and Witchampton, rising into fourth in a highly-competitive league.

But they face a House side who came up with them, despite finishing fourth in Division Two last season, and who have struggled to sit ninth of the 10 teams so far with only one win.

Beals is typically focusing on Weymouth’s performance, though, and is still seeking batting improvements.

He said: “Coming into the game we’re on a high, bowlers full of confidence.

“Batting still needs to go up a gear or two. I’m still not happy with the urgency of willingness to rotate strike. I’m still working out the best batting order as things stand.”

Weymouth enjoy a good record against Compton House, having beaten them twice last season.

Beals added: “We’ve won the last few against them, however it won’t go on forever.

“They’ll beat us at some point, we’ll do our best to ensure it’s not this weekend.”

Weymouth bring in spinners Shafeek Urumancheri and Cube Whyte at the expense of Jackson Jose and Jack Sapsworth.

Division Four leaders Weymouth Seconds visit bottom side Cheselbourne tomorrow (1pm).

Weymouth: Haylock, Guyett, Walton, Gregory, England, Wills, Whyte, Beals, Urumancheri, Mitchell, Hoyes.

Matchday sponsor: Active Mobility.

Also in Division One, seventh-placed Portland Red Triangle are on the road at Poole Town Seconds, who occupy third spot.

Triangle skipper Matt Randell is keen for his side to return to winning ways after consecutive losses, but knows the scale of the task at Poole Park.

He said: “I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to playing at Poole Park but it’s an opportunity to put a few things right and get that win on the board.

“We’ll be looking for some of our top order to kick on a little bit more. A lot of us have had starts but we haven’t converted that into a good score yet.”

Portland add Rob Townley and James Potts to their squad, with Ryan Price missing out.

Triangle’s seconds host Broadstone Thirds in Division Five tomorrow (1pm).

Triangle (from): Laws, M Barrett, D Adkins, Randell, J Adkins, Russell, Samuel, Townley, Potts, J Marsh, J Davey, L Adkins.

After securing their maiden victory of the season last weekend, Puddletown will be searching for back-to-back wins at home to Royal Challengers Sports tomorrow (1pm).

Skipper Adam Barrett is treating the promoted side as an unknown entity having never previously played them.

He said: “I know literally nothing about them.

“Hopefully, we can keep to our strengths, do what we do well and hopefully that’s enough to bring up another win.

“It can be a good thing, because you’re treating the bowling on its merits, likewise the batting, you don’t know what to expect.

“It’s more important for our bowlers to hit the right areas. Hopefully we’re on the right side of the result.”

Puddletown welcome back all-rounder Adam Weir for the contest.

Puddletown Seconds travel to Swanage Thirds in Division Five tomorrow (1pm).

Puddletown: Barrett, Knight, Phillips, Snow, Clarke, Derrion, Ennals, E Snow, D Morris, Charlstrey, Weir.