St.George's aim to stay out front
a return to the domestic cricket schedule this weekend with a full slate of games in both the Premier and First Divisions.
St.George's, who were leading the Overs division up until recently, will attempt to hold onto first place in the Open standings which are just as close at the top -- three points separating the top three teams.
The East Enders lead by one point over Willow Cuts and two more over Bailey's Bay. Police and Western Stars, the other unbeaten teams in the division, are 10 and 12 points out of first place respectively.
In round five tomorrow, St. George's take on PHC at White Hill Field, a match they should win, judging from PHC's record. The latter have lost all four of their matches so far and appear set for the drop.
Likely to go down with them are last-placed St. David's who remain pointless after four outings. The Islanders take on Southampton Rangers at Lord's knowing that only a win will keep their survival hopes alive.
In the other two Premier Division matches, Bailey's Bay play Police at Sea Breeze Oval and Western Stars host Willow Cuts at St.John's in what should be the day's best games.
Bay, while losing five of their seven matches in Overs, are having more success in the Open Championship where they are third in the standings with a 2-2 record. A victory would keep them very much in contention for the title which is presently held by Western Stars.
Stars' hopes of retaining that title look slim after just one win in four outings. Their opponents, Willow Cuts, who lost to them recently in the Overs competition, will be gunning for revenge at St. John's.
That match will feature nine players who were a part of the recent Cup Match, with Stars pair Arnold Manders and Gary Brangman outnumbered by seven Somerset players, both in their own team and among the opposition.
However, on this occasion the Stars players will be involved in a common cause as they attempt to close the gap on the leaders.
In the First Division, leaders Devonshire Rec. should make it four wins out of five when they take on last-placed Social Club at the Rec. Flatts, in second place and just two points behind, travel to Somerset while Cleveland, third, take on Hamilton Parish at Wellington Oval.
The other match sees Warwick playing Somerset Bridge in a battle of two Western Counties first round opponents.
Warwick give Ray Counties debut From Page 13 Champions Warwick Workmen's Club have made one change to their team for the second round of the Western Counties against Southampton Rangers today at White Hill Field.
St.George's allrounder Mark Ray will make his debut in the competition, coming in for Cleveland's Curtis Jackson as the only change from the first round.
Rangers also have a colt as their guest player, naming Gregory Sampson of Western Stars for his debut. Opening bowler Quinton Sherlock Jr, who made his debut for Warwick two years ago but is eligible to play for his new team after sitting out last year, is also included.
The former champions will sorely miss the services of top all-rounder Janeiro Tucker who is recovering from minor knee surgery.
Dexter Smith of Devonshire Rec. will occupy the other guest player spot for Rangers and will likely opening the batting with Sampson, his former Stars team-mate.
Teams Warwick: Alan Wilkinson, Daniel Caines, Trent Simmons, Daniel Morgan, Treadwell Gibbons, Ritchie Foggo, Jeffrey James, Johnny Nusum, Mark Ray (colt), Steven Bremar, Hoyt Zuill. Res: Michael Stovell, Dudley Lightbourne.
Southampton: Olin Jones, Keith Wainwright, Gregory Sampson (colt), Dexter Smith, Kwame Tucker, Carl Garzette, Darren Burchall, Quinton Sherlock, Dwayne Steede, Michael Brangman, Garry Williams. Res: Lyndon Raynor, Raynell Todd.