TOM Hicks has told his players they must “win and win well” against Hertfordshire at Dorchester Rec tomorrow (11am) if they are to progress through to the last eight of the MCCA Trophy.

The Dorset skipper has branded his squad one of the strongest in Minor Counties Cricket and is adamant the club can go on and enjoy a successful summer despite a stuttering start.

Looking ahead to his side’s visit to the county town, Hicks told Echosport: “We gave ourselves a lifeline by winning at Bedfordshire last week after two disappointing games.

“We suffered a tight loss against Oxfordshire and then were below-par against Herefordshire, so it was nice to bounce back the way we did, and although we could have won more comfortably, we have now put ourselves in a position where if we win and win well, we will have a good chance of going through to the quarter-finals.”

Dorset took the big decision to drop experienced duo Glyn Treagus and Darren Cowley last weekend and both men will miss out again tomorrow when Josh Lawrence and Simon Watkins will replace Chris Mole and Mitch Wilson, who are unavailable.

Hicks added: “At the moment we are victims of our own success in a way.

“We have got a very good development section at the club and the guys coming through from there are beginning to hit their prime.

“We have also brought in a couple from outside so the competition for places is pretty fierce at present.

“I would even go as far to say that the strength of the squad is as good as anything else out there at this level and it is just really about finding the right balance now.”

Commenting on tomorrow’s line-up, Hicks said: “We are going with an extra spinner with Simon coming in alongside Max Waller.

“We went back to Dorchester last year for the first time in a while and had a great time, so we are really excited about returning.

“It is a great place to play and we always get good support down there, which is always vital in important matches like this one.”

Only unbeaten table-toppers Herefordshire are guaranteed a place in the knockout stages from group three with Dorset vying for second spot alongside Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire.

And there is a very big possibility that the race could go down to net run rate.

Hicks added: “It will be a case of win first and then worry about anything else.

“We will definitely keep an eye on things, as we would be mad not to, but you cannot always dictate what happens in cricket.

“Even if we win tomorrow and do not go through, it will keep us on the right track for the three-day campaign, which tends to be our strongest suit.”

Dorset (from): J Park, N Park, Jones, Lawrence, Waller, C Park, Watkins, Wolstenholme, Hicks, Metcalfe, Denham, House.

* Dorchester Cricket Club is providing a barbecue, while tea, coffee and other refreshments will also be available. Supporters can also park on the ground.