North Village are expected to include Bermuda captain Terryn Fray in their team for the all-Evening League Central Counties final against Tuff Dogs at Devonshire Recreation Club tomorrow.

Both teams were expected to select their teams last night with Tuff Dogs, the cup-holders, likely to make one change, with all-rounder Trevor Corday off the island.

Fray, who plays football for Village, was again expected to be included as one of their two guest players, having played in the competition last year along with Bailey’s Bay team-mate Pierre Smith.

Even before a ball is bowled in the Central Counties final, two more firsts will be achieved when an Evening League team are crowned champions to earn the right to be the county’s representatives in the Champion of Champions competition in September.

Tuff Dogs helped generate some added interest in the tournament on May 19 when they dethroned champions Western Stars, before pulling off another victory against home side Devonshire Rec in the second round on June 9.

“We will be making at least one change as opening bowler Trevor Corday is off the island,” captain Terence Corday revealed.

“We’re definitely proud of what we have accomplished thus far, having beaten Stars and Rec in close games and are looking forward to the next game against North Village.”

Tuff Dogs have been boosted this series by guest players Jordan DeSilva and Derrick Brangman joining a team which includes former Cup Match players Arnold Manders and Dean Minors.

“For the first time there will be two Evening League teams battling for the Central Counties title and for the first time we are probably going in as favourites,” Corday said.

“But we’re very wary of a Village team that could be bolstered by the likes of Terryn Fray, Irving Romaine or Steven Bremar. We don’t know much else about them as they play in a different division in the Evening League and have only played them once, three years ago.

“We expect them to have a deep batting line-up. We are confident, however, with the team we pick on the day and are excited about the prospect of ending the final round as the Central Counties champions and going on to represent the counties in the Champion of Champions tournament.”

n Southampton Rangers are in the driver’s seat in the One Premier Division title race after inflicting the first defeat on St David’s last weekend when they beat them by five wickets at Southampton Oval.

Janeiro Tucker was outstanding with the ball for the home team, taking four wickets for 23 runs from nine overs as St David’s were dismissed for 180.

Tucker then scored 41 not out while captain Dion Stovell hit 45 against his former team and Ricardo Brangman 45 not out.

Both teams now have 5-1 records after six matches, with Rangers top of the table on 72 points, 11 more than St David’s in what will be a two-team battle for the title.

The two other matches last weekend between St George’s and Somerset and Western Stars and Bailey’s Bay were not completed, with Stars likely to be awarded the points after Bay’s Derrick Brangman refused to walk after being given out caught on a full toss he thought should have been called a no-ball.

After several minutes with Brangman still disputing the decision, umpire Kent Gibbons pulled the stumps to end the game. The Bermuda Cricket Board has not confirmed the outcome of those two matches. St George’s game against Somerset was called off because of a lack of umpires.

On Sunday, Rangers meet Western Stars at St John’s Field while St George’s, third on 42 points, face Bay at Wellington Oval. In the other match, St David’s host bottom team Somerset at Lord’s.