Dorchester skipper Martyn Richards believes the Weymouth class of 2011 will prove a much stronger proposition than last year’s.

The county town outfit recorded a comfortable double against their bitter rivals last summer but with the Seasiders searching for a third win on the spin, Richards is anticipating a closer contest when the two teams meet at the Rec tomorrow for the latest derby-day instalment (1.30pm).

He said: “It’s the fixture everyone picks out at the start of the season. We’ve been looking forward to it for a while and we can’t wait to get out there.

“We did the double over them last year but I’m sure it won’t be as one-sided this year. They will come out fighting.

“They’ve had some good wins of late and we know we will have to be on top of our game.

“Both of our seasons have been similar and we both enter tomorrow’s game on a high after good wins last weekend.

“They have guys who have won the Dorset Premier League in the past so they have a lot of experience. They also have a great batting line-up and a varied bowling attack so we’ll need to perform with both bat and ball.

“There should be a good atmosphere and if the sun shines we should have a lot of people watching. Hopefully we can deliver the game they have been looking forward to.”

Weymouth stalwart Dave Trotter, who will be missing out on the derby in order to line up for the seconds, said: “I wish I was there to watch. Obviously I’d prefer to play but I think it will be a very good game and a close battle.

“Dorchester are a strong side and they have in my personal opinion the best batsman in Dave Maslen and the best all-rounder in Dan Belt.

“It’s also good to see Adam Rendell back as he is also a great bat. Rob Waite appears to be taking wickets with his spin but I felt he was a better seam bowler.

“On paper there is little to choose between the teams as Dean Janaway is in great nick and Tom England has already won a number of games for Weymouth with his batting ability “As for the bowling department, Laurie ‘Cube’ Whyte is reliable and bowls a good line and length, as does Simon Browne.

“I really can’t call the result. Both sides will need to take early wickets to make inroads into the tail, as any side with wickets in hand can amass a large total towards close of play.”

Dorchester make two changes from the side that defeated Wimborne & Colehill last Saturday.

Richards added: “Andy Mead has work commitments for the next three weeks and will be a big miss.

“Dave Herbert drops to the seconds and is the victim of our strength in depth. We are hoping he will score some runs for the seconds before coming back into the first team.

“We do though welcome back Dave Maslen, who is a class act, while Quenton Miller is called up after taking 11 wickets in two games for the seconds.”

Tomorrow’s visitors welcome back Will McKay.

Dorchester: Maslen, Waite, Rendell, Belt, Roe, Evans, Richards, Little, Miller, Morley, Dunham.

Weymouth: Payne, Janaway, England, Ryall, McKay, Fitzgerald, Ulhaq, M Lawes, Browne, Whyte, Nobbs.

Match sponsor: The Victoria Hotel

* Tonight, the Rec plays host to the annual Doug Read Memorial Match between Dorchester and a Dorchester Evening League XI (6.30pm).

Richards said: “Doug (former club president) was a great guy and a club legend, and it’s always great to remember him and pay tribute to him. Fingers crossed we escape the showers.”

Barbecue and refreshments will be available both tonight and tomorrow.

* Dorset League Division Two leaders Dorchester Seconds travel to Wimborne & Colehill Seconds (2pm) while the county town thirds visit Christchurch Seconds in Division Five (2pm).