Wessex Internet Dorset League - week eight previews

Bere host the Swans with both teams on six points in the South West group.

Should Bere lose both games, they will have to hope either Dorchester or Martinstown do not collect a double-helping of points in addition to possessing a higher net run rate.

Bere could still finish runners-up and not qualify, pending the points total and or net run rates of the other two second-placed teams.

READ MORE: Bere Regis move to the brink of T20 Finals Day

Permutations aside, Bere skipper Brian Keegan is optimistic going into the games and welcomes the different challenge Swanage pose.

He told Echosport: “It’s nice playing against someone we haven’t played for some time.

“Looking at their results, they’ve done well against Dorch and Martinstown, so we won’t be underestimating them.

“From our perspective, we need to try and continue that winning habit and look for that dreaded C word, that consistency.

“(Finals Day) is where we want to be. We want to keep winning games, irrelevant of format, and keep the rhythm going.”

Eral Anderson, Harry Green, James Keegan and Rich Payne miss out for Tim Goodhew, Cameron Robertson, Pete Russell and Theo Talbot.

Bere Regis Seconds visit County Division Two leaders Shaftesbury tomorrow (1pm).

Bere: Munnings, Robertson, T Goodhew, Talbot, Russell, Rogerson, White, Kennard, Murphy, Macklin, 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.

Elsewhere in the South West group, Dorchester and Martinstown are chasing the runners-up spot. They meet at Lower Ashton Farm tomorrow (12.30pm).

They both know two wins is a must and Town skipper Charlie Durant has not given up hope just yet.

He said: “I always enjoy playing Dorchester, it’s always a nice occasion.

“We’re spitting distance away from them and we know a lot of their lads. They’ve got Will (Maltby) playing for them now who I’ve played with for years. It will be nice to play against him for the first time.

“We can get second if we perform and win both games, it’s something to aim for and it’s always nice to get one over on your near neighbours.”

Opposing captain Gautham Rajendar played down his side’s chances of advancing, talking up instead the chance of keeping his players match-sharp.

“Our focus is to get everyone to bat and bowl this Saturday and we’re not thinking about too much else,” he admitted.

“They’re our neighbours and yes, we do know each other quite well, but I can only see everyone having a bit of fun.”

Dorchester are, at the time of writing, undecided on their team and will make a late selection call.

Dave Trotter returns for Martinstown this weekend (Image: ANDY FRY)

Martinstown: Lewis, Ry Gerety, S Williams, F Williams, Hill, Durant, Trotter, Kane, Laidlow, Harris, J Gerety.

Martinstown main sponsor: The Brewers Arms.

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

Dorchester Seconds host Sherborne Seconds in Division Two, while the Thirds and Fourths entertain Shroton and visit Parley Fourths respectively in Division Six West and East (all 1pm tomorrow).

Meanwhile, Portland Red Triangle will be looking to make it back-to-back wins at Wimborne Seconds tomorrow (1pm) after their derby success over Weymouth last week.

Matt Randell’s men put in arguably their most consistent display of the season against the Seasiders and the Triangle skipper wants more of the same.

He said: “We’ve built on some things and shown some character and a bit of spirit. We’ll look to continue that on to Wimborne and try and get a similar result.

“Hopefully we can try and make it a little more comfortable for ourselves as well.

“We need to look at building partnerships, that was something we did well at Witchampton and Beaminster.

“It’s key, knowing when it’s time to soak up pressure and exert pressure back on to the bowlers.”

Portland will make a late call on selection.

Main sponsor: A2Z Landscaping.

Also in Division One, Weymouth are aiming to get back on track after Portland ended their four-match winning streak.

They host a Poole Town Seconds side who in recent weeks have been strengthened while the first team compete in the T20 competition.

And bullish Weymouth captain Lloyd Beals welcomes the challenge posed should Poole bolster their second team at Redlands tomorrow (1pm).

He said: “Poole Ones are hardly world beaters. I’m not too fussed on first-team, second-team players. They can drop their whole first team down if it means that much to them.”

Beals also called for an improvement in batting and fielding standards, adding: “We gave all 10 wickets away last week.

“Put a bit of value on our wicket, look to score and take our catches. The biggest disappointment so far is how many drops (there have been).”

Weymouth welcome back John Wilson, Dom Webb, Jack Sapsworth, Danish Ahmad and Harry Mitchell for the clash, with Mark Gregory, Cube Whyte and Jackson Jose dropping to the seconds and Tom England and Shafeek Urumancheri missing out.

Weymouth Seconds will hope to avoid a third-straight loss in Division Four when they visit Poole Town Fourths tomorrow (1pm).

Dom Webb, right, comes in to bolster Weymouth's batting (Image: IDRIS MARTIN)

Weymouth: Haylock, Wilson, Walton, Womble, Wills, Beals, Webb, J Sapsworth, Mitchell, Hoyes, Ahmad.

Matchday sponsor: Active Mobility.

Lastly, Puddletown are on a high after their seven-wicket win over Broadstone Seconds last time out.

In skipper Adam Barrett they possess the second-highest runscorer in the Dorset League with 412, and he is full of optimism going into a meeting at in-form Charlton Down tomorrow (1pm).

Barrett said: “It’s got all the makings of a good encounter. They’re a good side and a team we know quite well.

“In recent weeks I see Nick Voss has scored a lot of runs for them, so he’s a player we’re going to have to look out for.

“Growing up with players like Sam Roles, they’ve got the capacity to be a very dangerous team. It’s certainly not going to be an easy game.”

Puddletown Seconds entertain Lytchett in Division Five tomorrow (1pm).

Puddletown all-rounder Adam Weir comes back to face Charlton Down (Image: IAN MIDDLEBROOK)

Puddletown: Barrett, Knight, J Morris, Clarke, D Morris, R Snow, Phillips, Gosney, Crabb, S Chaldecott, Weir.