Dorchester not ready for Poole recovery – Dorset League match preview

Dorchester already holds a nine-point advantage over a team that many spectators believe to be their closest rivals for the title this season.

The defending champions beat Wimborne by eight wickets on Saturday, while Poole‘s match with Cattistock was abandoned due to rain.

Speaking to Echosport, Roe said: “For us, if you look back over the past few years, we and Poole have been two of the stronger sides.

“There have obviously been outliers every year, but we are even on the honors.

“We always got the better of them at home and they beat us instead. The T20 also falls into this area.

“I don’t think it’s revenge. We’re just going to have to play some good cricket.

“We have enough results against them to know that if we play cricket well, we will be the winners.”

Dorchester is unchanged from the side that beat Wimborne.

Dorchester: Ryall, Owens, Carty, Anderson, Mitchem, Legg, Belt, J Caldwell, Barrett, Richardson, Roe.

Meanwhile, the first table toppers Martinstown will look to continue his impressive form at home in Broadstone.

Martinstown skipper Sam Kershaw Photo: GRAHAM HUNT

Town skipper Sam Kershaw would like to make a declaration of intent on the grounds of his home at Lower Ashton Farm (1 p.m.).

He said: “We didn’t face them last year with the league division, but they’re pretty consistent in their squad selection.

“I am convinced that we can do our best, come away with a victory and try to make our homeland a fortress this year.

“It will be the key for us to push up this season and to move forward is to make our field ours.

“You’ve been watching a team like Dorchester the last few years. They performed very well at home.

“Our pitch suits the way we play and we have to box smart.”

Martinstown doesn’t have the duo Tom Pope and Teddy Andrews, so Ben Wylie and Ryan Blair step in.

Martinstown: Kershaw, Gerety, W Maltby, S Williams, Wylie, Hill, Ja Stewart, Blair, Jo Stewart, Trotter, Durant.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Bere regis visit Sherborne (1 p.m.) for a meet and greet with former Surrey Seconds and Somerset Seconds drummer Josh Lawrence.

Bere skipper Brian Keegan said: “He hit 131 last Saturday so if we can get him out that will help us a lot to be competitive.

“I’m not saying we’re going to win because they have Emlyn Kuhn and a solid batting lineup and Josh is on top of that.

“You don’t get where it is – and scoring tons at this level – without being a decent player, to say the least.

“It’s a challenge but we’re going with our eyes wide open.

“Looking at which side we can get out, we have 11 decent cricketers, all of whom can be match winners.

“But it’s consistency and you have to show up to the party.”

Bere is unchanged from last weekend’s 90-point loss to Martinstown.

Bere: M King, Rich Cole, Robertson, Murphy, T Goodhew, Proffitt, S Goodhew, Griffiths, Payne, Keegan, Walbridge.

In County Division One, Weymouth host a sizzling side of Puddletown after several promotions over the past few seasons.

Weymouth currently leads the standings after a nine-point victory over Portland on opening day.

Ahead of the clash at Redlands tomorrow (1:30 pm) Vice-Captain Lloyd Beals said: “They’re a bit of a stranger because they’ve been flying over the leagues.

“Saturday’s game was one of my favorite games, it was hostile from the start and nothing went overboard. It was exciting to be part of, edge of your seat in both rounds.

“Realistically you have to win your home games so that we can finish anywhere close to where we want to.

“Beating Portland doesn’t mean anything if you don’t follow it up with a good performance.”

Weymouth will make a late appeal on the squad selection.

Weymouth match ball sponsor: Advoco Accountants

Lloyd Beals All-rounder of Weymouth Photo: GRAHAM HUNT

Puddletown won a notable four-wicket victory over Compton House on Saturday and captain Adam Barrett is enjoying the challenge posed by the Seasiders.

He said: “We had a tough game last weekend, but I actually believe playing away against Weymouth will be even more difficult this week.

“They had a great result against Portland playing away from home last weekend so I’m sure their confidence will be very high as a result.

“They are a strong team with a lot of quality with the stick and the ball so we have no illusions about how difficult the game is for us”

As for team news, Puddletown makes a change from the side that beat Compton House last weekend, with Mikey Crabb replacing the unavailable Matt Porter.

“I think Matt will be unavailable for a few weeks now due to his teaching commitments, which presents a real opportunity for someone like Crabby from the second team to step up and claim a regular spot.

“Aside from this change, we will be exactly the same as last weekend and we hope to produce another good performance.”

Puddletown: Crabb, Weir, J Mitchell, Barrett, Eastment, Ry Norman, Snow, Re Norman, D Morris, J Morris, S Chaldecott.

Puddletown Match Ball Sponsor: Rebuild Cost Assessment Ltd

Portland Red Triangle will look to bounce back from their derby loss at Weymouth with a trip to Swanage tomorrow (1.30pm).

Triangle skipper Matt Randell said: “Playing Swanage in Swanage is always a tough game.

“I don’t think we’re going to think about them too much, we’re going to focus on our cricket.

“It’s a tough place for us to go and we haven’t won too many games there.

“If we can do our bases well, we can give ourselves a good opportunity to aim for victory.”

Portland (from): Leake, Whisker, Price, Randell, Theakstone, Lois, D Adkins, J Adkins, Dalkins, Cameron, M Barrett, Samuel.

In Division Two, Dorchester Seconds visits Wimborne & Colehill Seconds.

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