team in time for next week's Cup Match.

The simmering controversy over the St. George's trio was threatening to boil over last night with one club member on the verge of presenting a list of signatures to force club officials to rethink a controversial decision made earlier in the week.

But time is clearly running out on the bold move by club member Duval Smith, who is behind the petition.

If he doesn't present it to officials by today the club will not have enough time to arrange a special membership meeting.

According to St. George's president Mansfield Smith, a full day is required so members can be notified about the meeting through a newspaper advertisement.

If the procedure is not properly adhered to then the Cup Match hopes of top cricketers Dean Minors, Lionel Cann and Dale Fox will be extinguished.

The trio were given the bombshell news this week that they were ineligible to play in the Summer Classic because of their failure to meet the June 30th deadline to pay their membership dues.

A sector of the club has since reacted strongly by voicing their displeasure, but club officials have so far stood firm behind their decision, despite the risk of a major conflict hitting them with precious little time left before making the final team selection.

But the odds on the dispute ending quietly looked doubtful last night since irate club members were apparently determined to force management's hand to have the players reinstated in time for Saturday's final trial match, thus making them eligible for eventual selection.

"Nothing has been handed in to us, and there is not much time left to enable us to advertise for a special meeting should the members request one as a result of this petition or otherwise,'' said Mansfield Smith yesterday.

But the man behind the move to have the trio reinstated indicated that moves were in motion last night to have additional signatures included in the petition.

Duval Smith would only say he has "collected quite a few'' names so far.

But he did reveal, however, that Clay Smith -- the youngest son of the president -- apparently was prepared to approach players during last night's training session so that their names could be added to the petition.

While he could not be reached for comment, Clay Smith is believed to be one of the more disgruntled players and is anxious to see the trio welcomed back.

"It's clear that the club has made a mistake, but you have those with egos who don't want to swallow it,'' said Duval Smith.

"Originally Dean was our main concern, but now we are just as concerned about the other two players as well. None of them have been informed about the procedure for paying their dues,'' he added.

"In the case of Cann he was just a day past the deadline. Now if somebody was informed of a deadline then he is not going to be a day late. Last year he paid up a week before the final trial, now the club has come up with this.'' When contacted yesterday team captain Graham Fox appeared to be completely mystified by the situation at the east end club. He would not say what changes would be made to this year's Cup Match team.

"I honestly do not know, there is so much going on down here right now,'' he said.

The club president was unwilling to get into a public debate about the situation, but the understanding is that the executive committee will not change their mind.

In the case of Minors the club's position was that he was given ample time to pay his dues. He failed to do so during the soccer season after being reminded on several occasions by members of the executive and his coach.