Kevin Hurdle will finally make his debut for St David’s tomorrow when the Premier Division champions put their unbeaten record on the line against Bailey’s Bay at Sea Breeze Oval.

Hurdle, a late transfer signing from Flatts, had to delay his debut for St David’s last weekend because of illness, but he has been selected by the champions for the trip to Bailey’s Bay.

With or without Hurdle, the Islanders will be tough opponents as they showed last Sunday when they dismissed Cuts for just 92 on their way to a crushing six-wicket victory to extend their winning run in the league to three matches.

This match will have extra intrigue as the two teams are strong Eastern Counties rivals, with Bay dominating their meetings two years ago when they won the league, though St David’s got the better of Bay in meetings last season, including dethroning them as Eastern Counties champions.

Bay are still not at full strength, with Terryn Fray, Tre Manders and Delray Rawlins still in England. Terryn Fray, who is playing in Wales, is not due back on the Island until next weekend.

The Bay batting, which scored just 123 against Willow Cuts and 92 against Rangers, at home, have their work cut out against a St David’s bowling attack led by the in-form George O’Brien and Rudell Pitcher who each grabbed three wickets against Willow Cuts.

Sammy Robinson is missing from the St David’s line-up for the second match, having just returned from overseas.

From the early results it quickly became obvious that it would likely be a three-team battle for the league between St David’s, Willow Cuts and Southampton Rangers.

St David’s still look the team to beat after stopping Cuts in the Belco Cup final and again in the league and Hurdle’s inclusion makes them even more formidable in the bowling department.

Cuts and Rangers have already suffered defeats, with Somerset scoring the big upset so far, a five-wicket win over Rangers at Southampton Oval two weeks ago.

Bottom teams St George’s and Cleveland are also going through a tough early season, failing to win a match so far. That is not likely to change for St George’s at home to Willow Cuts tomorrow as they, too, are still without key players like captain Oronde Bascome, Christian Burgess and Zeko Burgess who are still overseas.

Cleveland, who travel to take on in-form Somerset, have a new captain in Allan Douglas Jr but so far have not found the form that gave them a top four finish last season. Somerset have now won two on the trot after last weekend’s win over St George’s.

In the First Division, the Bermuda Under-17 side meet Warwick Workman’s Club at St John’s Field today while the two matches tomorrow will see Flatts playing Devonshire Rec at St David’s and Somerset Bridge meeting Western Stars at White Hill Field.

*Today’s Cup Match trial at St George’s has been called off because no wicket was prepared in time for the match.