Cuts, Devonshire desperate to end early season slump
Either Willow Cuts or Devonshire Rec. will pick up their first win of the season tomorrow, while St.George's should be favoured over Warwick during the second round of Overs League action.
Both Cuts and Devonshire Rec. have found the going rough during the early weeks of the season and their clash at Somerset Cricket Club will enable one of them to taste victory for the first time this season. The teams have met already in the Open League when their rain-delayed match ended in a tame draw.
Cuts have struggled with their batting, a problem evident in last weekend's losses to Southampton Rangers and Bailey's Bay in the Knockout Cup and league.
And the battle between their batting and Rec's bowling could decide this clash.
St. David's, who edged by Devonshire Rec. last weekend, face much tougher opponents when they travel to St. John's Field to meet champions Western Stars.
The Islanders will be on a high after their victory last weekend while Stars are still bruised after their second successive defeat in overs matches to St.
George's. St. David's could feel the backlash of that as Stars aim to prove they are still the team to beat.
Stars have unearthed a promising seam bowling in Mark E.Trott while St.
David's have some promising youngsters in batsmen Chris Foggo, Sammy Robinson, Landro Minors and OJ Pitcher. And fast bowler Dale Fox will be looking for a happy return against his former St. David's team-mates.
Another close match should be at Police Field where Police entertain Bailey's Bay. The Central Counties champions, who meet Social Club in the first round of the competition today at Police Field, can expect much tougher opponents in Bay who boast a solid all-round team.
Social Club have defaulted their last two matches after struggling to field full teams but it is anticipated they will have sufficient numbers out today for their Counties challenge. Even so, Police should advance to the next round to meet Devonshire Rec. without fully exerting themselves.
Tomorrow's other Premier Division match sees in-form St. George's taking on Warwick at Wellington Oval. With wins over Stars, Bailey's Bay and Police under their belts, St. George's have enjoyed the perfect start to the season.
Warwick's bowlers face a major task against the St. George's batsmen, led by captain Clay Smith who has already scored 400 runs.
Smith's target is 1,300 for the season, and the fact that he hasn't been dismissed under 50 in five innings gives the Bermuda batsman plenty to live up to.
Warwick's batting has been boosted by the return of Stevie Lightbourne from Police, along with Perry Scott and Ritchie Foggo, the team's top team batsmen against Police last weekend.
Add Lightbourne's brother, Trent, who could be in the team this weekend, and Warwick have a solid middle order.
Foggo is a St. Georgian and will be anxious to do well on his return to Wellington Oval.
Promotion hopefuls Flatts and Cleveland meet at Devonshire Rec. in the top match in the First Division.
Southampton Rangers, the third team in what should be an exciting battle for two promotion spots, are at home to Social Club while the other match sees Somerset Bridge hosting neighbours Somerset at White Hill Field.
PHC have the day off because of the withdrawal of Hamilton Parish just before the start of the season.
CLAY SMITH -- the St. George's skipper has hit half centuries or more in five of his innings so far and is aiming for a season-high total of at least 1,300 runs.
