Champions PHC enter today?s Western Counties third round clash at White Hill Field against unpredictable Somerset Bridge as firm favourites to defend their crown.

But the underdog tag hasn?t discouraged Bridge?s warriors in the least.

With the likes of guest players Vernon Eve and Nakia Smith bolstering their ranks, team stalwart Denzil (Shaka) Dill reckons Bridge have got what it takes to wrest the trophy away from their tenants.

Describing the challengers? team as ?very solid?, Dill commented: ?I think we have a well-balanced team capable of taking the cup from PHC.?

Given both clubs share the same ground, home field advantage will not come into play, Dill noted.

?I think the only advantage will be with the toss,? the veteran all-rounder added. ?The wicket might still be a bit damp and so the team that loses the toss might be sent in to bat first in those conditions. And I believe this could play a major role towards the eventual outcome of the game. But we will just wait and see what happens with the toss and then go from there.?

Flatts leg spinner Eve comes in to add variety to Bridge?s bowling attack while Smith?s fine all-round abilities will certainly be an asset.

Dill and Clarence Trott could share the new ball with the uncle and nephew combination of Corvette and Bilal Lambert and Eve expected to shoulder the bulk of the slow bowling duties.

Skipper Adrian Burrows will lead from the front, opening the challengers? batting with Jermaine Nesbitt with the potentially explosive Dill, Trott, Smith, Eve and Jermaine Salaam to follow in the middle order.

?As far as the team is concerned I think we are balanced enough and possess the capability to dethrone the champions and then defend the cup in the next round,? a confident Dill declared.

Bridge will come up against a PHC side having undergone one change from the team that dethroned Southampton Rangers in the previous round last month ? guest player Hasan Durham coming in for the vacationing Winston Trott jr.

And if Bridge are to stand any chance of stripping their opponents of the hardware then they must first overcome a formidable PHC bowling attack containing the likes of Neil Anglin, Shoron Hunt, Durham, Kevin Tucker and Kyle Lightbourne.

In the batting, PHC will rely on former Somerset Cup Match opener Sheridan (Baldy) Ming, guest player Jekon Edness, Kenny Mills, Jeremy Fray and Gerald Simons to produce at the top of the order with the likes of Lightbourne, Hunt and Durham each capable of waving the bat at the rear.

PHC defeated Rangers by 28 runs at White Hill Field on July 9 as the cup changed hands for the second time in as many rounds.

Bridge will be hoping that streak continues today when the two rivals clash in the West End.:? Ellsworth Bean (capt), S.Ming, G.Simons, K.Mills, J.Edness, H.Durham, J.Fray, K.Lightbourne, S.Hunt, K.Swan, N.Anglin.

? A.Burrows (capt), C.Lambert, D.Dill, N.Smith, V.Eve (colt), J.Salaam, B.Lambert, D.Dowling, K.Smith.

Meanwhile, tomorrow sees first round Premier and First Division Knockout Cup action taking centre stage.

In the day?s top match, Bailey?s Bay host Western Stars at Sea Breeze Oval while the contest involving Social Club and defending cup holders St.George?s could also go either way at Devonshire Recreation Club.

Other match-ups see Cleveland hosting Rangers at Wellington Oval and St.David?s taking on Flatts at Lords.

There are also intriguing games in the First Division where cup holders PHC host last year?s beaten Premier Division KO Cup finalists Willow Cuts at White Hill Field and Somerset entertain Devonshire at Somerset Cricket Club.

Also of interest is the contest involving last season?s runners-up Police and Leg Trappers at Police Field with Warwick hosting Somerset Bridge at Southampton Oval.

Despite the opening round being postponed last weekend, the Central Counties championship should go ahead as planned this year.

Sources indicate that the format is expected to follow last year?s changed script which saw the four teams face off in two semi-finals with the winners of those two matches then vying for the title.

Previously, as obtains in the Western and Eastern Counties, the defending champions from the previous season would seek to defend their title against each of the other county teams. If they were beaten, the new winners would then defend for the remaining matches.

On the Bermuda Cricket Board?s (BCB) 2005 schedule, the Central Counties final is slated for September 10 but it?s uncertain whether this date will hold up as the semi-finals must now be rescheduled in a season that?s already chock-full of cricket.

Devonshire, who won the title last year, will be seeking to emerge victorious again with Police, Social Club and Western Stars challenging for glory.

When contacted about if there would be a Central Counties competition this season, Devonshire secretary Ellsworth Christopher replied: ?I would hope so.?

Declining further comment on the matter, he added that he would prefer the association to issue a statement.

?The situation is under review and I?m sure it will work itself out,? he said confidently.