TEAM manager Sean Walbridge wants his Dorset players to concentrate solely on maintaining the winning habit – and ignore complicated statistical issues.

Dorset must beat group rivals Hertfordshire at Dorchester on Sunday to stand any chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the MCCA Trophy (11am).

However, with the top two places determined by net run rate and Dorset vying for the runners-up spot with Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire, the equation is far from simple.

Only unbeaten Group Three leaders Herefordshire are guaranteed a place in the last eight with Dorset in the hunt to book a trip to Devon should they prevail by a big enough victory margin.

Walbridge told the Daily Echo: “We have got to win, it is as simple as that. We have got to take it an innings at a time and bat positively like we did against Bedfordshire last week. If we bat first, we have got to get a good total on the board and take it from there.

“In the break between innings, we will know whether we can qualify if we win by a certain number of runs. Sometimes, you can get too hung up about these things. The main focus must be on trying to win and, hopefully, ensure we do enough to finish second in the group.”

Although defeats by Hereford and Oxford in their first two fixtures saw Dorset crash to the foot of the group, victory over Bedford at Dunstable five days ago threw them a lifeline.

“We didn’t do ourselves justice in the first two games,” said Walbridge. “But we rediscovered something relating to what we would say was our better form against Bedfordshire. If we can reproduce something similar on Sunday, hopefully, it will be enough to see us through.

“I know it is a different format, but we need to remember we are the Minor Counties champions and have got to take that confidence into the fixture.”

Dorset draft in Bournemouth skipper Simon Watkins and Sherborne’s Josh Lawrence. Chris Mole and Mitch Wilson are both unavailable.

Bournemouth quintet James Park, Nick Park, Matt Metcalfe, Ed Denham and Mark House are also included.

Dorset: (from) J Park, N Park, Jones, Lawrence, Waller, C Park, Watkins, Wolstenholme, Hicks, Metcalfe, Denham, House.

• Dorchester Cricket Club is providing a barbecue, while tea, coffee and other refreshments will also be available. Supporters can also park on the ground.