PORTLAND Red Triangle skipper Matt Gomm will have to watch from the pavilion tomorrow as his side begin their quest for success in Dorset League Division Three with a trip to Christchurch (2pm).

Gomm has broken a finger and is likely to be out for at least two weeks, and with several other first-teamers unavailable the islanders’ captain is putting his faith in the club’s youngsters, who he is confident can deliver.

He said: “We have experienced a horrible pre-season to be honest. Our overseas player has had to go back to Sri Lanka due to personal reasons and we have also lost some other players so it has been pretty tough.

“We also have four or five first-teamers out at the moment, including myself with a broken finger, so this weekend we have put in a couple of youngsters but they are good enough.

“The first couple of weeks of the campaign should be very interesting to see and following that I should be able to gage what our aims are for the season ahead.

“By the third game we should be back to full strength but as I have told the youngsters, if they play well they will keep their place.”

Of opponents Christchurch, Gomm added: “They came up last season and only lost one game but they are a university-based side so it will be interesting to see how that affects them as we have a couple still away as well.”

Triangle: Barrett, Laws, Profett, Polley, Neven, Riley, Strong, A West, L West, Whisker, Males.

n Portland Red Triangle Seconds will open their Dorset League Division Eight campaign tomorrow with a home clash against Witchampton Seconds at Reforne (2pm).

Triangle: Tombs, Quayle, Morris, Males, Lamming, Locke, Randell, Samual, Redfern, Nott, Bartho-lomew. Matchball Sponsor: BOHO.