Dorchester and Bere Regis face big derby - cricket previews

DORCHESTER are full of respect for Bere Regis as the two unbeaten sides go toe-to-toe in a juicy Wessex Internet Dorset Premier League derby at Dorchester Rec tomorrow (12.30pm).

Having won each of their opening two matches, the form book could not be stronger going into the clash.

And Dorchester captain Gautham Rajendar is wary of Bere’s improvement this season, calling on his team to “step it up”.

He told Echosport: “We’ve always had tough games with Bere and we trade wins home and away, so we’re looking forward to it.

READ MORE: Dorchester beat Sherborne by eight wickets

“We can see any of the top sides making a push for the title as we don’t know how the newer formats will play out really, but yes they have definitely strengthened recently.

“We’re in good form but coming up against a side like Bere, we would need to step it up.”

Meanwhile, Bere skipper Brian Keegan only has eyes on his team.

“We’ve just got to concentrate on ourselves,” he insisted.

“There’s plenty to improve and we’re still looking for consistency. You want all the components to come together at the same time. If they do, you’re going to have a good game.

“Obviously, Dorchester are a decent side and always have been. We’re looking forward to the challenge and we meet that head on.”

Dorchester make two changes, with Jenson Stewart and Jamie Barrett missing out for Will Maltby and returning all-rounder Josh Richardson.

Bere also have two alterations, Rich Payne and Pete Russell replaced by Jacob Kennard and Theo Talbot.

Dorchester Seconds and Bere Seconds are also both unbeaten and face-off in County Division Two at Bere Regis Rec tomorrow (1pm).

Dorchester Thirds visit Buckhorn Weston in Division Six West, while Dorchester Fourths entertain Verwood Thirds in Six East (both 1pm tomorrow).

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

Bere: J Keegan, Rich Cole, S Goodhew, Talbot, Anderson, Robertson, T Goodhew, Murphy, Kennard, B Keegan, Rogerson.

Bere main sponsor: Booth Gadenne.

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

Bere second XI match ball sponsor: Dorset Reclamation.

In Premier Two, Martinstown are playing their first away game, visiting Chalke Valley tomorrow (12.30pm).

Again, both sides have tasted victory in their opening two fixtures and Town skipper Charlie Durant is all too aware of Chalke’s calibre, having watched them fly up the divisions.

He said: “I think it will be a really tough game.

“We haven’t played them on a Saturday as our first team but we played them a few years ago in a Sunday T20 and they beat us quite comfortably. It won’t be an easy fixture.

“Hopefully we can use the positives from the last few weeks and up our game from there.”

Martinstown make only one change from last week’s win over Hamworthy, Dave Trotter coming in for Ryan Blair.

Martinstown Seconds host Weymouth Seconds in a County Division Four derby tomorrow (1pm).

Martinstown: Nichols, Lewis, S Williams, R Gerety, F Williams, Kane, Hill, J Gerety, Trotter, Durant, Samways.

Looking to build on Saturday’s emphatic win at Beaminster, Portland Red Triangle host Marnhull at Reforne tomorrow (1pm) in County Division One.

Matt Randell’s men cruised to a 149-run victory and are hoping to ride the crest of a wave with another dominant performance against promoted side Marnhull.

Randell said: “I’d like to hope that the track’s decent, we know how Portland’s going to play.

“We’ll use that to our strengths, go out and bat first and score big, just take our opportunities again.”

Portland have a selection headache with a bumper squad available for the match, although star all-rounder Simon Proffitt misses out. Ryan Price, Rich Samuel and George Munro are all in contention.

Triangle Seconds visit Shaftesbury Seconds in Division Five tomorrow (1pm).

Portland (from): Laws, M Barrett, D Adkins, Randell, J Adkins, Munro, Samuel, Price, Russell, J Marsh, Potts, Davey, L Adkins.

In the same division, Weymouth are still awaiting their first victory after wasting winning positions against Marnhull and Wimborne Seconds.

The Seasiders host Corfe Mullen at Redlands tomorrow (1pm), Weymouth having pipped their rivals to the Division Two title last year after beating them in the 2022 T20 Trophy final.

Weymouth skipper Lloyd Beals said: “It will be nice to get the first win on the board, but that sort of stuff doesn’t bother me.

“We play to win every game, losing doesn’t come into the thought process.

“I don’t see it as a rivalry they smashed us a few years ago with half our team but we’ve beaten them comfortably a few times since. In the rained-off game last year we were well in control, as well.”

Beals also listed the improvements he’s looking to see, adding: “Batting them out of the game. 220 doesn’t, or shouldn’t, scare anyone on an average pitch.

“And, starting better with the ball. Both times we have let teams hit 50-odd for the first wicket.”

Weymouth welcome back Tim Guyett and Jackson Jose, with John Wilson and Adam Hoyes out.

Weymouth: Gregory, Beals, Walton, Womble, England, Wills, J Sapsworth, Haylock, Guyett, Urumancheri, Jose.

Similarly to Weymouth, Puddletown are also winless after their first two games.

Adam Barrett’s men welcome neighbours Cerne Valley tomorrow (1pm) in Division Two, although their captain misses out with Jamie Edwards expected to lead the side.

Seamer James Morris said: “We’ll look to bounce back from a couple of defeats and try and get our first win on the board.

“I saw Cerne had a good win against Charlton Down last week, so it will be interesting to see who turns up for them and how they go.

“We’ll have a changed side but we’ll look to build on what we’ve done in the Evening League.”

Puddletown will make a late call on selection, while their second team visit Wimborne Fourths in Division Five tomorrow (1pm).