competition, effectively the Caribbean championships, gets underway later this week at the BSRA Club in Devonshire.

Jamaica have dominated the tournament, which began in 1966 as a two-team event between Bermuda and the Bahamas, over recent years, but the Island team have also captured the trophy 11 times since its inception. The Cayman Islands make up the quartet.

Each country are represented by 20 players, with five in each category: Men's A, Men's B, Ladies and Veterans.

Bermuda's Men's A team is represented by two of its most promising junior players for a number of years. Tommy Sherratt, at number one, has been playing regularly for University College, London, where he is a student, and in the London leagues. Nick Kyme, 17, at number two, has had a brilliant season for his school, Taft, and in many junior intenational tournaments in the US and UK.

Former pro Julian Rose, at one time ranked in the world's top 50, will play at number three, with brothers Richard and Jan Brewer expected to complete the team.

Competition for a place on the Men's B Team has been fierce with the edge going to Dick Meredith, another promising junior Sam Stevens, Colin Alexander, Chris Ward and John Stout. Norman Furtado and Anthony White are reserves.

Club professional Jane Parker leads the Ladies' team at number one. She represented Bermuda for the first time last year in the Rosebowl and remained unbeaten.

Parker is joined in the team by Janine Bentley who recently won both the Club Championship and the OBM Tournament.

Appearing for the first time and playing in the number three slot is Michelle Eyles, wife of current world champion Rodney Eyles. Liz Martin and Lily Khaw make up the team with Lynn Furtado and Anita Yates as reserves.

The Veterans' team is made up of Tony Prentice, Rod Holloway, Roger Sherratt, Barrie Mancell, Val Protheroe and Carol Ferris.

Denis Kyme, the home team's manager, said: "Overall I think we have a very good chance of winning this year. It's always an advantage to the home team because all your best players are available.

"Our Men's A team have been fairly weak in recent years, but we now have three very strong players at one, two and three. It's a great credit to our junior programme that our two top players are home-grown. Both Tommy and Nick will gain valuable experience playing against top class competition.''