four teams involved in this weekend's two Camel Cup semifinal and final matches but veteran all-rounder Vivian Simons says they like it when the odds are stacked against them.

Willow Cuts take on Bailey's Bay in one of the semifinals at Wellington Oval on Saturday while the other game has champions Western Stars entertaining St.

George's at Sea Breeze Oval. The winners will meet in Sunday's final at Lord's.

"Being the darkhorses is nothing new to us, we actually like it that way,'' said Simons, whose spin bowling has been one of the team's highlights this season.

"As far as I am concerned we are always the underdogs against these top teams, but we are pretty confident going up against a strong team like Bailey's Bay.'' The competition sees a clash of the top four league teams from the previous season and while it is familiar ground for titans like Bailey's Bay, Western Stars and St. George's, the Willow Cuts will be making their debut after surprising many by finishing second in the tables a year ago.

The west-enders at last were able to show their real colours with the fine performance last season, now they would like to prove that they are capable of challenging for overall honours in this prestigious tournament.

"If we play to our potential we should do well even though Bailey's Bay are a solid all-round team,'' said Simons.

Willow Cuts may be without the services of wicket-keeper Andre Hendrickson for the game. His place would then be filled by Anthony Fubler who held down the position until Hendrickson's arrival this season.

Bailey's Bay could also go into the clash without a key player, Ricky Hill is in England and it is doubtful whether he will be back in time for the Saturday game.

"He is the only doubtful player we have, otherwise we will have all of our regulars to choose from for this game,'' said Bailey's Bay skipper Chris Smith.

Smith is aware of the fact that Willow Cuts are a new team to the competition, but he points out that it makes no difference if they are a new team or one that has made regular appearances because his team will respect them.

"We are not going to take Willow Cuts lightly even though we have had no major trouble against them in the past,'' said Smith.

If their last performances is any indication of the true form of the teams then Bailey's Bay are the ones who should be on a high after their 101-run victory over Devonshire Rec. at Devonshire. Bay scored a mammoth 258-8 and then dismissed their opponents for 157.

Willow Cuts on the otherhand struggled to beat lowly St. David's by nine runs at Lord's scoring 101 and then dismissing the east enders for 92. Smith is pleased with the overall performance of his team after just three league fixtures, claiming that everybody has made their contribution.

"I am quite satisfied with the way we have played so far, we have some good experience players and we are just concentrating on good cricket without worrying about any specific teams,'' said the skipper.

"Our last game saw us score a good victory over Devonshire Rec., now we are going into the Camel Cup hopeful and confident of doing well,'' he added.

Despite their victory over St. David's by a slim margin, Simons is also hopeful that his team can recover some of the form that obviously escaped them for that match against the east enders.

Since they opened the season with a defeat against Southampton Rangers, Willow Cuts have bounced back with two straight victories and they are keeping their fingers crossed with hope for another positive result against Bay.

With their batsmen still searching for form, it is their bowling that has inspired the team -- led by pace man Rodney Fubler and medium pacers Joseph Matthews and Richard Basden with spinners Kevin Fubler and Simons supplying vital support as well.

But its clear that the sharpness of the bowlers will have to continue for Willow Cuts to pull off a stunning victory in this Camel Cup match-up.

VIVIAN SIMONS -- Veteran says Willow Cuts like it when the odds are stacked against them.