push for silverware.

The teams will meet in two different competitions at White Hill field (11.00) today in the Western Counties and at Somerset Cricket Club tomorrow in the league.

Rangers are the Western Counties champions but will go into the match without the availability of Cup Match trio, allrounder Janeiro Tucker, the MVP, Kwame Tucker and guest player Dexter Smith. Kwame Tucker is at a wedding today while Janeiro Tucker and Smith are in Canada on international duty with the Bermuda team who open their five match tour today in Toronto.

Challengers Willow Cuts will be missing their top player, Richard Basden, who is also in Canada. Bowler Ossie Hinds is out because of work commitments.

Willow Cuts have chosen from their league ranks with veteran Rodney Fubler included to give them some additional experience in the bowling department.

Rangers have called up two guest players to fill the gaps, with Clarkie Trott of Bailey's Bay and, somewhat surprisingly, Treadwell Gibbons, named in the team.

Gibbons, the veteran Western Stars player, has played in all three counties, having turned out for Warwick as recently as 1997 when they were dethroned by Rangers. Western Counties rules allow players to play for another team as long as they have missed one year.

Teams are allowed to field two guest players and the other name mentioned was Trott's Bailey's Bay team-mate, Glenn Blakeney.

Rangers see Gibbons' experience as crucial as they take on the team they expect to give them their toughest challenge.

Trott's inclusion was expected as he has played for Rangers before in the competition, though he missed the first round victory over Somerset Bridge.

Despite Rangers' strength, Willow Cuts selection committee chairman, Rudolph (Buckwood) Simons, is confident the challengers are capable of an upset.

"I can't see why we can't beat them, if fellas play to their potential,'' said Simons. "We've got some good bowlers, good batsmen and excellent fielders.

"Reggie Tucker Jr is one of the best fielders we have in the team and we have the best spin bowler in Bermuda in Kevin Fubler. Richard Basden is one of the key players and will be a miss for his allround ability. But I think we can do the job.'' Teams Rangers: Olin Jones, Keith Wainwright, Michael Brangman, Clevie Wade, Rohan Simons, Clarkie Trott, Ryan Belboda, Ian Armstrong, Garry Williams, Treadwell Gibbons, Carl Garzette. Res: David Saltus, Roland Rhones, Kamen Tucker.

Willow Cuts: (from) Dexter Basden, Gladwin Edness, Shannon Warner, Jermaine Warner, Dwayne Basden, Dwight Basden, Trevor Dickinson, Kevin Fubler, Reggie Tucker, Charles Swan, Linjay woods, Kenny Maybury, Rodney Fubler, Bergon Spencer.

Tomorrow, Rangers will be hoping to move closer to a first league title in almost 20 years when they travel further west to Somerset Cricket Club to take on the same Willow Cuts team.

Defeat today for Cuts would make them all the more determined to bounce back tomorrow and certainly they have the players to stop the season's most in form team.

However, a Rangers win would keep them five points ahead of two of the three teams presently on 40 points. One of them will drop off the pace as Bailey's Bay and Western Stars meet at Sea Breeze Oval, while the third team tied for second, St. David's, take on Devonshire Rec. at home without trio Clay Smith, Lionel Cann and O.J. Pitcher.

Bay will be without captain Charlie Marshall, who is leading the Bermuda team abroad, so others will have to step forward to take up lead roles.

Bay are all but out of the running for the league, having lost three of their last four league matches, but at stake for them and others is a top four place which would make them eligible for the Camel Cup next year.

Camel Cup champions St. George's should stay in contention for a top four finish, though they will have to beat Somerset Bridge at White Hill without captain Herbie Bascome, Dexter Smith, Mark Ray, Dean Minors and youngster Mackie Crane. This is a good chance for Bridge to inflict defeat on one of the top teams.

In other matches tomorrow, Flatts take on Police at Devonshire Rec., Cleveland are at home to Social Club at Wellington Oval and PHC play Somerset at Police Field.