Dorchester will tomorrow hand a first-team debut to 13-year-old Will Caldwell.

The rising star began the season with the county town thirds but a host of superb displays have caught the eye of senior skipper Martyn Richards.

And the latter has no qualms that the youngster will handle the pressure when Dorchester visit reigning Dorset Premier League champions Poole Town tomorrow (1.30pm).

Richards, who is unavailable for the next three matches, said: “We have three enforced changes this week but they have brought three good young players into the side.

“One in particular is Will, who is 13 but is an exceptional talent. He scored 98 for the third team on his debut and also scored 36 not out last weekend against Weymouth Seconds on his second-team debut.

“We have moved him straight into the first team and having seen him play you would never think he is just 13.

“Joe Power also comes into the side and he fully deserves his recall after taking 3-15 for the seconds last week. The other player coming in is Ian Legg, who is a gutsy batsman and already has first-team experience.

“Hopefully this call-up will give him the inspiration he needs to rediscover his form of last year.”

As well as their captain, the county town outfit will be without the services of experienced duo Rob Waite and Steve Gerety.

But despite their absence, and that of his own, Richards is confident of seeing his remaining troops record their first victory over Poole in four years.

He added: “We still feel we have a lot of strength in depth with the batting order and Poole Park could be a tailor-made pitch for James Dunham, who performed brilliantly against Stalbridge.

“So we go there with a lot of optimism after the way he played last week – he was unplayable.

“We may have a few changes but we have found a bit of form and it’s about time we beat Poole again. It’s been a few years but we’re optimistic we can change that tomorrow.

“Poole have really picked up of late. They were lower down the table earlier in the season because they had a couple of rain-offs. But they are still one of the strongest and most experienced teams in the league and they have some real stand-out performers.

“Games against Poole are always tough, especially at Poole Park, but hopefully we will come out on top.”

Dorchester: Belt, Caldwell, Dunham, Fitzgerald, Goodhew, J Legg, I Legg, Miller, Moxom, Power, Sibley.

* Dorchester Seconds will also do battle with their Poole counterparts tomorrow as the two sides meet at the Rec in Dorset League Division Two (2pm).

And the former will be looking to record back-to-back wins after coming out on top in last Saturday’s clash with fierce rivals Weymouth.

The third team meanwhile, are gearing up for their derby with Weymouth Longshots at Charlton Down (2pm).

The county town return to action in Division Five North & West following a week’s break and will be keen to hit the ground running as they attempt to replace Longshots at the top of the table.