RHYS Cole will be handed his first-team debut at Marnhull tomorrow (1.30pm) – providing the recent wet weather comes to an end.

Dorchester have seen their last two Dorset Premier League fixtures rained-off and are desperate to avoid a third straight disappointment – resulting in a subdued end to their league campaign.

Cole is in line to feature against the basement boys and captain Martyn Richards is delighted to give the batsman an opportunity to impress.

He said: “Rhys batted excellently during one of our games in cricket week, scoring 90 runs.

“This is his reward for a good performance and we’re looking forward to welcoming him into the team.

“He’s a great lad, he can bowl left-arm spin but he is predominantly a batsman.”

First and foremost, Richards is hopeful the sun will shine and his county town side can end the season with a 10th win of the campaign.

He added: “It was looking pretty bleak on Wednesday as far as cricket goes so we’ve got to hope the weather isn’t too bad today and that Marnhull will want to get the game on. It’s in the lap of the gods at the moment.

“It would be frustrating and extremely unlucky if we were to see the last three games called off.

“We’re just going to keep our fingers crossed because it can be a long winter without cricket.”

Of rock-bottom Marnhull, the skipper said: “They are rooted to the bottom of the table but they will want to end the season on a high. It’s not going to be easy so we’ve got to put in a good team performance.”

Rob Waite, Pete Moxom, Phil Morley and Xenon Ellis are all unavailable for the final match of the summer.

Dorchester: Richards, Tweddle, Maslen, Belt, Gerety, Mead, Legg, Legge, Cole, Power, Dunham.

* Dorchester Seconds host Swanage in Diviison Two (2pm) while the third team entertain Ferndown Wayfarers Fourths at Charlton Down (2pm).