Wessex Internet Dorset Cricket League - week six previews

Bere are currently top of the Wessex Internet Dorset Premier League, while Martinstown have a perfect record after five matches in Premier Two.

With the first chunk of 50-over games completed, attention now turns to three weeks of T20s, with the two sides pitted in the same group as Dorchester and Swanage.

Points earned in the T20s count towards a separate national competition, with the winners in Dorset entered into the latter stages.

Home captain Brian Keegan is looking to bounce back from a nine-run defeat by Poole last time out.

He told Echosport: “On the back of a loss, you want to play as quickly as possible in the same format, rather than a different format this week.

READ MORE: Bere Regis lose to Poole Town by nine runs

“It’s a bit unwanted but not a lot we can do. We’ll try and use the next three weeks for continuity for when we start again in four weeks to count towards our league position.

“It’s a slight change in tactics, probably a change in batting order and hopefully we’ll get a few match-ups.

“It’s slightly different from Evening League, so we’ll have a think about that.”

Martinstown feel the T20 format plays to their strengths, rather than Bere’s.

Town skipper Charlie Durant said: “We’re firing at the moment and it is a bit strange to be playing 20 overs on a Saturday.

“We’ve got to adjust to the pink ball, where Bere and other teams don’t. But we’ll take it in our stride and see what we can do.

“It’s a free hit, there’s no pressure on us. We can just enjoy the next few weeks.

“Bere are in good form and they’ve strengthened over the winter. It’s just whether they can adjust to the format.

“They’re a fairly slow-scoring team. I’m not saying that’s a negative. It’s working for them, they’re top of the league, but let’s see if they can be explosive at the top of the order.”

Rich Cole (knee) could be out for the season, while Tom Munnings misses out. Bere field a 12-man squad with Pete Macklin, Pete Russell and Rich Payne coming in.

Martinstown will make a late call on selection.

Bere Seconds visit Broadstone Seconds in County Division Two, while Martinstown Seconds host Marnhull Seconds in Division Four (both 1pm tomorrow).

Bere (from): J Keegan, Russell, Macklin, Payne, S Goodhew, Anderson, Robertson, T Goodhew, Murphy, Talbot, Rogerson, B Keegan.

Bere main sponsor: Booth Gadenne.

Bere first XI match ball sponsor: GMS Plumbing and Heating.

Bere second XI match ball sponsor: Dorset Reclamation.

Martinstown sponsor: The Brewers Arms.

Meanwhile, Dorchester visit Swanage in the other West group fixture tomorrow (12.30pm).

Gautham Rajendar’s men are unbeaten this season and have made a habit of bowling sides out for under 150 in the 50-over format.

Asked how Dorchy would tackle the T20s, Rajendar said: “It’s a slight switch-up with our approach but we’re looking forward to it.

“Our mindset is one and the same regardless of who we’re playing, so we’re expecting a good challenge for both games.

“There’s a positive feeling around the side at the moment and we’re confident in our abilities in the newer format.”

Dorchester make two changes with Jim Ryall and Scott Peach coming in for Tom Kinsey and Ben Macklin.

Elsewhere, Dorchester Seconds host Charlton Down in a Division Two derby, Dorchester Thirds visit Symene Seconds in Division Six West and Dorchester Fourths host Christchurch Thirds in Six East (all 1pm tomorrow).

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

Back to 45-over trim, Weymouth are hunting a fourth-straight County Division One victory tomorrow (1pm).

Lloyd Beals’ men make the journey to winless Beaminster, who last week were thrashed by 243 runs at Corfe Mullen.

Beals has history with the west Dorset side, receiving a ban after comments made during the 117-loss to Beaminster at Redlands two years ago.

“Yeah, it’s no secret I don’t like them,” the Seasiders’ skipper said.

“Beaminster will be looking to bounce back after a mauling.

“It’s always a tricky match when playing a team who have been demolished so easily.

“We’ll be hoping for a repeat result, though.”

Weymouth are expected to hand a debut to new signing Danish Ahmad, while Pete Sapsworth is promoted to the first team after a fine start to the season with Weymouth Seconds.

John Wilson, right, returns to bolster Weymouth's top order (Image: GRAHAM HUNT)

John Wilson and Jack Sapsworth also return with Harry Mitchell, Shafeek Urumancheri, Adam Hoyes and Cube Whyte missing out.

Unbeaten leaders Weymouth Seconds host Blandford Seconds in Division Four tomorrow (1pm).

Weymouth: Haylock, Wilson, Walton, Gregory, England, Wills, Beals, J Sapsworth, Guyett, P Sapsworth, Ahmad.

Beaminster: W Moss, Park, A Moss, Handford, Golledge, Padwick, Baker, Jones, Edwards, O Hey, Hollely.

Also in Division One, Portland Red Triangle are attempting to end a three-game losing streak.

Matt Randell’s men have slipped into eighth and are starting to stray from their positive brand of cricket, a behaviour that the Triangle skipper wants to correct immediately going into Witchampton away tomorrow (1pm) and Weymouth at home next week.

He said: “Witchampton have developed into a good team and the last few years they’ve had the better of us both home and away. We know it’s a tough ask.

“I want us to look to be positive in all aspects, we’ll play much better cricket if we’re much more proactive.

“It’s not enjoyable losing every week and I think some of the players are starting to feel that.

“For us, the next two weeks we’ll look to get a win under our belts because it’s going to have a massive impact on how the rest of the season goes. They’re huge.”

Callan Laws (back) is out and Joe Adkins is unavailable but George Munro returns and in-form Ray Emery is expected to earn a call-up.

Callan Laws is out injured with a back problem (Image: JOEL DAVEY)

Triangle Seconds are in action at home to Rolex in Division Five tomorrow (1pm).

Triangle: Emery, M Barrett, D Adkins, Randell, Munro, S Barrett, Samuel, J Marsh, Potts, Townley, Davey.

Main sponsor: A2Z Landscaping.

Puddletown are also searching for a return to winning ways, following their narrow one-wicket loss to Royal Challengers last week.

Adam Barrett’s men tackle bottom club Sturminster & Hinton away in Division Two tomorrow (1pm), another unfamiliar side for the Kingfishers.

He said: “They’re another unknown quantity, which is the case for a lot of the teams in the league this year.

“They’ve not had the greatest of results this year but we’ve just got to go up there and play our best game, do the basics well, and hope that’s enough to get us back to winning ways.”

Adam Weir misses out for Puddletown this week (Image: IAN MIDDLEBROOK)

Puddletown Seconds host Stalbridge Development in Division Five tomorrow (1pm).

Puddletown: Barrett, Knight, Gosney, Edwards, Phillips, R Snow, J Morris, Ennals, Chalstrey, Derrion, AN Other.