BEAMINSTER captain Chris Park hopes his players will rise to the challenge of visiting a strong Stalbridge side in County Division One on Saturday (1pm).

Park’s men lost their opening game to Poole Town Seconds in a final-over thriller and were then washed out against Puddletown.

However, they now travel to one of the division’s big-hitters and a date with star all-rounder Stuart Sweatman, who Park enjoyed a chance meeting with this week.

He told the Bridport News: “Just playing would be nice, first and foremost to wake up on Saturday morning with sunny skies.

READ MORE: Beaminster lose to Poole Town Seconds by two wickets

“I actually saw Sweatman in Aldi randomly last Saturday morning. Looking at this league I don’t think there’s going to be any weak teams.

“Stalbridge certainly won’t be any different. The sides are a lot stronger this year, there’s going to be a lot more strength in depth.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge. We’ve always had good games against Stalbridge, they gave us a few hidings over the years, especially when we got relegated two years.

“But we’ve got a much stronger side now, so we’ll approach the game as we always have done in aggressive, positive style and see what happens.”

Beaminster make two changes to the side that would have faced Puddletown, Simon Jones and Henry Hansford-Harvey missing out for the return of Ben Golledge and Ollie Bareham.

Beaminster: Park, W Moss, Golledge, A Moss, Baker, Damen, Hillier, Edwards, Ronan, O Bareham, Hollely.