trial at Wellington Oval...including last year's MVP Glenn Blakeney.

The dashing left-hander, whose knocks of 79 and 90 not out last year helped the east enders to an eight-wicket victory, is in danger of losing his place after being sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Blakeney, who has been missing from the Bailey's Bay team for six weeks and has only played four times this season, is included in the President's XI for Saturday's trial.

But he will not be the only one under the spotlight as a host of players are bidding for places, including four for the opening spot that is being vacated by Jason Lewis who has not played this season.

"I think right now we are definitely looking at opening batsmen, someone who can come in and fill Jason's shoes,'' said captain Clay Smith who will lead the President's team.

"Of course, we have the option of opening with Glenn if we have to.'' Smith admitted yesterday he was leaning towards youngsters Jason Anderson and Chris Foggo as the openers for his team in the important final trial.

In the side led by league vice-captain Herbie Bascome, Dexter Smith, dropped two years ago, and Ricky Hodsoll, axed after playing in 1990, will likely face the new ball.

"You have Dexter Smith looking for a place and also Ricky Hodsoll and Chris Foggo so the final trial will be crucial for all of them, really,'' Smith acknowledged.

Hodsoll must be considered an outsider, but a big knock in the final trial could sway the selectors.

"There are two or three people who can do the job, but you have to reward guys for the type of season that they've had,'' said Smith. "On the final day if he (Hodsoll) did go ahead and get a big knock it could cause a few headaches.

"Other than that I think Charlie (Marshall) and possibly Cleon (Scotland) could come in in the middle somewhere, depending on what type of team the selectors are looking for.'' Smith estimates there are possibly seven `shoo-ins', leaving about four places up for grabs. The `secure seven' would appear to be the captain, Lionel Cann, Arnold Manders, Bascome, Gary Brangman, Dean Minors and Mark Ray.

One of the areas that will receive a lot of attention, and debate, is the bowling where a fourth seamer, Clarkie Trott, is making a strong bid as back-up to last year's new ball pair of Bascome and Brangman who tormented the Somerset batsmen on a lively wicket. Cann would be the other front line bowler.

Trott extended his season-high 38 wickets by four in the Eastern Counties last weekend, 20 more than Brangman.

As champions, St. George's have the luxury of being able to carry an extra batsman to strengthen their batting.

"Last year we had a lot of allrounders and bowlers because we wanted to win the cup,'' said Smith. "This year we may opt to eliminate one of the bowlers and add another batsman.'' Meanwhile, the form with the ball of Trott and Smith himself must be making spinners David Adams and Eugene Foggo nervous about their places.

Smith's off spin is leading the bowling averages and with spinner Manders, they represent two slow bowling options without weakening the batting. "That is definitely going to be a big headache, with Clarkie having bowled so well,'' the captain admitted.

Teams: President's XI -- Clay Smith, Kenny Phillip, Clarkie Trott, Jason Anderson, Lionel Cann, Glenn Blakeney, Arnold Manders, Ryan Steede, Chris Foggo, Steven Outerbridge, Eugene Foggo.

Vice President's XI -- Herbie Bascome, Charlie Marshall, Gary Brangman, Dean Minors, David Adams, Dexter Smith, Ricky Hodsoll, Mark Ray, Adrian King, Cleon Scotland, Kameron Fox. Reserves for both teams -- Coolridge Durham, Detroy Smith, Cory Hinds, Shannon Raynor, Jim West.

Somerset's former Cup Match players will meet their St. George's counterparts in a 30-overs game at Wellington Oval on Sunday, starting at 12 noon. The teams last played the match two years ago with Somerset emerging winners.

Somerset's squad: John Tucker (capt), Gladstone Brown, Albert Donawa, Clyde Burgess, Barry DeCouto, El James, Gary Fray, Quinton Sherlock, Eugene Woods, John Stovell, Randy Horton, Charles Fubler, Willard Raynor. Anyone else interested in playing should contact Randy Horton at 235-3034 (days) or 293-8805 (evenings).

GLENN BLAKENEY -- must impress in final trial.