IT may only be the third game of the season for Dorchester and Weymouth tomorrow but county town skipper Simon Mitchem has insisted that the first Ridgeway derby of the new term is a “must-win” for both sides.

With two matches of the campaign gone the Dorset Premier League table does not make pleasant reading if you are associated with the two teams.

Dorchester sit bottom of the standings with the Seasiders just one place above them – neither have a points tally that is in double figures yet.

And Mitchem, whose men lost against Swanage on the opening weekend and then at Stalbridge last Saturday, has highlighted the importance tomorrow’s clash at Dorchester Rec (1pm) is.

“This is a must-win game for both teams,” he told Echosport. “They are in the same position as us so even though it’s still early in the season it’s a massive one.

“I’m good friends with (Weymouth captain) Kieron Womble and I am sure he’ll be saying the same thing.

“They need to win as much as we do and it should be a good game of cricket.

“We were very disappointed that we didn’t go on and win last weekend.

“Hopefully we can put ourselves in a position against Weymouth where we can do that and get over the line this time.”

And when asked if playing at home will give his side an advantage, he added: “I’d like to think we are strong at home, but with a game like this I honestly don’t know if it will make a difference.

“Given the position both teams are in I don’t know if it is going to affect the result that much.”

Despite yesterday’s rain, Mitchem is confident that the match will go ahead, and admitted he was buoyed by how this week’s training had gone.

“We’ve got a bit more strength in depth in our batting this week, which is good,” he said.

“We had a good training session this week where people just batted, and it was all about not getting themselves out.

“We talked about things and the players know what they’ve got to do.

“It’s just about making sure everyone knows their responsibilities and that they can’t expect others to do their jobs for them.

“They’ve got the ability, they just haven’t fired yet, which is frustrating.”

The last time Dorchester and Weymouth met was in the 2013 season. Weymouth won by seven wickets at Dorchester Rec.

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  • Elsewhere in the division, Martinstown take on Wimborne & Colehill at Lower Ashton Farm.