On guard: Matt Sherring will be looking to fill his boots against Shaftesbury on Saturday
PERSISTENT rain wrecked the potentially riveting local derby between Bridport and Dorchester Seconds at the Brewery Ground last week.
The home side's outfield was completely waterlogged after the heavy deluge in midweek and the fixture was called-off early on Saturday morning when it was clear that no play would be possible.
This was Bridport's second consecutive washout in an increasingly exasperating period of the summer, which has hindered their publicised goal of finishing in the top four.
Promotion aspirations were consigned to the scrap heap in July but following the notable victory over earlier this month, the chances of finishing with a flourish increased.
Hapless Shaftesbury, who have been rooted to bottom spot in Dorset Funeral Plan Division Two since the opening day, will host Chris Backhouse's side on Saturday with the visitors keen to make up for lost time.
The reverse fixture fell foul of the weather and started Bridport's demise as they went from promotion contenders to rank outsiders in the space of six weeks.
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And Backhouse, for whom this has been a productive season personally with bat and ball, has signalled his message of intent for the climax to the campaign.
He said: "Shaftesbury is one of those games that we look to get 20 points out of because they've struggled this year and if we can do that then
we'll be pushing for a top four spot again.
"After falling out of contention at the top of the table my aim has been to finish in the top four and so to end the season with a couple of wins is what we want and should get us there.
"I'm confident that we can beat Wimborne at home on the final day and it would be good to get revenge after they beat us easily at their place.
"That was the only match this year where we've been heavily beaten, other than that we haven't been outclassed by anyone."
Shaftesbury have won just twice this season and are certainties for relegation to Division Three, probably alongside Pavilion Sports, who require a minor miracle to prevent the inevitable.
Unoccupied for three weeks, Bridport will be rusty and feeling the effects of not being able to train but in Backhouse's favour is the full
strength squad from which he can select his final XI.
Bridport head into the game as overwhelming favourites and, weather abiding, are expected to record their sixth win of the season to enter the season finale on a high.
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