MARK Derrien's burning ambition is to leave Dorchester Cricket Club with a Dorset Premier League legacy when the curtain comes down in his three-year stint as first team captain.

The 34-year-old bowler has already made it known that he will be handing over the captaincy of the county town club - most probably to new vice-skipper Martyn Richards - at the end of the season to concentrate on his young family and a blossoming career as a soccer referee.

"We've now got an improving squad of young players and we are confident we can win Division One this season," said Derrien, whose side begin their campaign away to Beaminster on Saturday.

"That has been my aim ever since I became captain and if we can win it this year and regain our Premier Division status before I step down I will be absolutely delighted."

In fact Derrien reckons he won't mind stepping aside before the season ends should he become a casualty of the expected competition for first team places.

"For a couple of years we haven't had enough players pushing for first team places. But we have rebuilt our squad on young talent and I'm certain that as the season progresses there will be plenty of youngsters in the second team who are pushing to step up to the senior side.

"Although we have been close to promotion in recent years, I couldn't see the point in going back up into the Premier with a bunch of 30-year-olds in decline.

"I look like being the oldest player in the side this season and if we get to a point where there is someone better in the seconds I will have no hesitation in joining the old codgers on the sidelines who have never dropped a catch and never bowled a wide in their lives!"

Although a possible return of former Dorchester skipper and Minor Counties spin bowler Sean Walbridge has now been ruled out, the county town club have several new faces in their 2007 squad.

"Sean has decided to play for Bournemouth in the Southern League and we wish him all the best," said Derrien. "Of course we are disappointed, but to be honest he is too good for the Dorset League First Division and we believe we will be good enough to win our division without him."

Joining the club this season are attacking, left-handed batsmen Steve Gerety, a Dorchester postman who played mainly for Weymouth Seconds last year and is now looking for a new challenge.

"He has netted very well so far and we're confident he can establish himself in our first team," said Derrien.

Another player who has looked good in the nets is left arm quickie Charlie Sutton who has been introduced to the club by Phil Morley. The duo are both teachers at the Budmouth Technology College.

Sutton will not be available after the schools break up for the summer holidays in July but Dorchester's line-up will then be boosted by Cattistock teenager Martin Langford.

The batting all-rounder, who has scored hundreds of runs for his home village side in recent seasons, will switch to Dorchester on his return from university.

"We've been trying to persuade him to try his luck in the higher division for several seasons and we're delighted he will be joining us to take advantage of our super new practice facilities at the Rec," said Derrien.

Medium-quick bowler Justin Miller, brother of established first teamer Quincy Miller, is returning to the club this season while Derrien anticipates the season will not be too old before youngsters like George Thomas and Aaron Oliver are pushing for Division One cricket.

"In recent years we haven't been able to drop anyone and the second team getting relegated shows that we haven't had enough guys capable of stepping up," added Derrien. "But now we will have at least 14 players who believe they should be in the first team and that can only be good for competition and our promotion chances."

dorchester's FIXTURES DIVISION ONE MAY 5 - Beaminster (a); 12 - Marnhull (h); 19 - Swanage (a); 26 - Bournemouth (h).

JUNE 2 - Stalbridge (a), 9 - Corfe Mullen (h); 16 - Broadstone II (a); 23 - Bridport (h); 30 - Wimborne & Colehill II (a).

JULY 7 - Beaminster (h); 14 - Marnhull (a); 21 - Swanage (h); 28 - Bournemouth (a).

AUGUST 4 - Stalbridge (h); 11 - Corfe Mullen (a); 18 - Broadstone II (h); 25 - Bridport (a).

SEPTEMBER 1 - Wimborne & Colehill II.