team manager Mike Jones said that the involvement of his players in numerous "outside'' competitions had contributed to the downfall of the outgoing champions.

Stars are set to be dethroned this weekend by the east enders who require a win over Police at home to officially lift the cup from the clutches of Stars.

"The way things have gone, we're not playing our best cricket right now and if St. George's continue playing as they have they'll win the league,'' said Jones who realises that St. George's can afford to lose to Police and then beat lowly Warwick in their last match.

"I personally don't feel there is much of an outside chance for us, barring a miracle. Our guys are really tired.'' "I would say, though, that I have a particular problem with the Western Counties and Eastern Counties taking away players from our programme and pulling apart the team. It has really had an adverse affect.'' It would seem that Stars have become a victim of their own success, as evidenced by their sending seven players to Cup Match and having four involved in the Eastern or Western Counties at some stage during the season.

As well as 13 league matches, Stars have also competed in the Camel Cup, Benson and Hedges, Central Counties and knockout for a total of 21 matches so far, compared to 16 by St. George's.

Jones said that key players -- Jeff Richardson and Arnold Manders in particular -- were "burnt out'' from playing too many matches and "need a rest''.

"The fabric and closeness amongst the team was slowly eroded away.

"I don't blame the players for being good enough (to be selected to the representative matches), but the commitment wasn't there (at club level). We went from being a really good team to just a regular one, especially in the second half.'' As has become custom, Jones saved a few barbs for the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control, which he blasted for not acting in the best interests of the clubs and allowing the league programme to disintegrate.

"The domestic (league) programme is not being given enough priority, all other competitions tend to take top priority over club competition and this is wrong.

"They're pulling aside players for these one-day events and afterwards the clubs are left struggling to pull things back together ... and this is why we can't have a good ICC team.

"Our players probably won't even last for 50 overs with all the continuous cricket they've played.....it's definitely a problem.'' Reverting back to Stars, Jones added that despite winning three trophies -- Camel Cup, Central Counties and Benson and Hedges Trophy -- 1993 was not a good year as they had embarked on a quest for all five that were up for grabs.

"I have mixed feelings. We were in position to win all five -- that was the goal -- and next year we may not find ourselves in that predicament.''