Stephen Douglas, the president of the Eastern Counties, is excited about the series which starts tomorrow with Bailey’s Bay facing champions St David’s in the first round at Lords.
Cleveland County play the winners in the second round on August 19 and Flatts will contest the final on September 2.
OJ Pitcher, the St David’s captain, has been fighting the flu which kept him out of last weekend’s win over Cleveland County at Wellington Oval, but there is no chance of him missing the big match against Bay.
The teams have met twice already this season with St David’s winning both, a close Twenty20 final at Sea Breeze Oval and in the league where St David’s are still unbeaten.
“Preparation has been excellent, we’ve had a good season so far and are looking to carry that momentum into Saturday,” Pitcher said.
“At the same time we can’t take anything for granted, even though you say we’re the favourites.
“When it comes to Bay and St David’s, it’s about what happens on the day. Bay have had a rough start to their season but this is county and we know on the day they can rise to the occasion.
“They have a few players who didn’t play last year who can play this year to strengthen their team.”
St David’s have four regulars in their league team — Dion Stovell, Allan Douglas Jr, Kevin Hurdle and Ajuan Lamb — who cannot play for them in the counties, although they can call on reinforcements.
“We do have quality players that we can pick from, players the likes of Lionel Cann, Chris Foggo and even Macai Simmons, the newly appointed Cup Match captain,” Pitcher said.
“It is a morale booster beating them twice, with the Twenty20 final coming down to one run, but on the day we’ll see what happens.
“I should be fine for Saturday, last night I had a brief session with the team but wasn’t feeling 100 per cent. There are still a few more days so I’ll be ready to rock and roll.”
Trott said Bay are determined to turn their season around after a slow start in the league.
“This is a county match, a whole different ball game,” he said. “St David’s have played extremely well and we haven’t played as well as we should have been playing.
“This is county, all about the community and family. On Saturday we have to come up with the goods. We’ve had the worst end of the stick the last three years. A blessing has to come our way and I’m hoping it comes on Saturday.
Cleveland, who lost the cup to St David’s last season, are having their own problems this season but captain Dennis Musson insists they can still turn their fortunes around as they try to avoid relegation.
“We’re playing after Cup Match and will have plenty to play for,” Musson said. “Staying up is our priority. It’s been rough for us since last season when we lost our coach [Clay Smith] to the national programme.
“We haven’t been able to secure a full-time coach for the start of the season and it has affected us tremendously. The only way now is up because we aren’t going down.
“The first-round match between St David’s and Bay sets it up pretty decent for us right after Cup Match.”
Flatts, the only First Division side in the Eastern Counties, have had two promising wins against PHC and Willow Cuts recently and look forward to their day in the final round.
“We also had a slow start to the season but we’ve picked our game up. Our Achilles’ heel in the last couple of years has been our catching.
“It really doesn’t matter [what round we play] we just have to be ready for it. I’ll be watching the games intently.”
n Khiry Furbert of Western Stars has been slapped with a one-year ban by the Bermuda Cricket Board.
He was charged with showing serious dissent to an umpire’s decision and using obscene language or gestures to another player or match official.
Furbert was also charged with threatening an umpire or match referee with assault during his team’s match against St David’s at St John’s Field on June 18.
