CAPTAIN Jamie Thomas believes it could just be a matter of time before teenage run machine Ben Rogers gets the chance to fulfil his potential on a bigger stage.

The Poole Town skipper was speaking after watching the 16-year-old blast what he described as “probably one of the best knocks” he had ever seen.

Thomas hailed the quality of Rogers following his rapid century in their 276-run win over Dorchester.

Rogers, who is in his first season in the club’s senior side, stole the show with a sensational innings of 120 – from just 65 deliveries.

His effort, which included 20 fours and two sixes, helped Poole match the massive total of 370 they racked up against Suttoners in May. The right-handed opener, who had smashed 109 off 75 balls on that occasion in what was his first-team debut, is building a big reputation in the Dorset League.

And his performances have not gone unnoticed by skipper Thomas.

He said: “Ben has all the shots and plays all around the ground. It was a tremendous innings. In three games for the first team, he has scored two centuries.”

When asked about the youngster’s future prospects, Thomas added: “It is just a case of when and for how long we’ll keep him. He has definitely got the potential to go higher.”

Startled Dorchester had no answer as Rogers and his Poole team-mates roared to a victory that kept them in second position, just behind reigning champions Parley.

Rogers and Masoor Khan (31) shared 144 for the first wicket before useful contributions from Martin Miller (37), Badrul Alam (28), Ciaran Quinn (29) and Steve Wilson (44*) saw Poole close on 370 for nine in 50 overs.

Dorchester lost a wicket in the first over as Thomas struck before another of the club’s young guns, Quinn, showed his star quality.

The 17-year-old (5-17) reduced Dorchester to 46 for six after claiming five wickets in his first seven overs. Dorchester failed to recover and were eventually dismissed for 94.

• Leaders Parley overcame a major scare in a dramatic clash against struggling Stalbridge after edging to victory off the final delivery of a thrilling showdown at Dean Park.

Stalbridge looked on course to spring a surprise when they made a commanding 294 for eight. Their performance owed much to the efforts of captain Stu Sweatman, who made 152.

But Parley immediately displayed their intent in reply by setting off at more than eight an over.

Sam Collins (43) and Mitch Baker (64) put on an opening stand of 98 before Jack Rowett (57) and Kieran Price shared a fifth-wicket partnership of 55.

Tom Blackley, who had earlier claimed two for 66 on his return to the club following a spell with Bashley, scored 36 to take Parley to 292. The game took another twist when he was stumped, leaving last man Tom Barber, who also took two for 66 in the Stalbridge innings, to join former skipper Neil Summerson at the crease.

Summerson kept his cool to hit the winning runs off the last ball of an entertaining encounter.

• Ben Bridgen took two wickets and scored 35 as Wimborne & Colehill edged to a one-wicket victory over Ferndown Wayfarers.

Grant Cormack (3-16) was the pick of the Wimborne bowlers as they dismissed Ferndown for 171.

But the reply was far from straightforward as Bridgen battled to get his team close before number 10 James Miller arrived to win it with a boundary.

• Depleted Blandford suffered a 66-run defeat at Weymouth. Aaron Day claimed four wickets as Weymouth were dismissed for 177 and then top scored for his team with an unbeaten 35.

But lowly Blandford, who were missing a number of key batsmen including captain Alex White, were skittled for 111.

• Broadstone (208-5) moved up to third position with a five-wicket win over Suttoners (207).