MARTINSTOWN’S meteoric rise through the Dorset League hits new heights this weekend when they play their first game in the top flight.

Skipper Ed Nichols and his men travel to Broadstone tomorrow for a game which represents a milestone in the club’s history.

Martinstown have climbed from the foot of the league system to the summit and now sit alongside the county’s best teams in the Dorset Premier League.

“We're just thinking about staying up," said Nichols. “It would be nice if we could consolidate our place in the Premier League.

“This is where we want to be as a club and anything more than that would be a bonus.

“We always struggle in the first few weeks of the season with students away but hopefully we can make sure of our place for next year as early as possible.”

He went on to add: “We have played Sherborne and Dorchester before but the other teams are an unknown quantity for us.

“But we’ve got some really talented players who want to rise to the challenge.”

Left-arm spinner Tom Nichols has returned to the game after a couple of years out, while seam bowler James Caldwell arrives from Dorchester.

Martinstown's second XI host Puddletown in Division Five.