been the domination of local cricket by Albert Steede's men of St. John's Road.

And the victory train does not look likely to be halted this weekend, as Stars take to Southampton Oval in defence of the Knock-Out Cup against Somerset.

Outmanned, outgunned, outclassed. All would appear to apply to the west enders, a side that, while able to stay afloat and reach the semi-finals in this competition, faded badly towards the end of the season after a brilliant start.

Even though captain Wendell White has been a bright spot throughout it will take a whole heap more to douse a Stars outfit that has been flaming hot all year long.

Fresh off victory in the Champion of Champions competition a week ago, which marked their 22nd straight triumph this season, Stars have a goal of completing the year undefeated and with a collection of all five trophies in their coffers.

Boxing uses the term `puncher's chance' to distinguish the likelihood of a long shot, yet Somerset are not even being given that.

It is often said that cricket is `a funny game'...it would be `ludicrous' to think Somerset will win.

While Stars versus Somerset shapes up as the ultimate mismatch, Bailey's Bay versus Southampton Rangers (Wellington Oval) rates a veritable toss-up.

A year removed from celebrating a Premier Division title, Rangers find themselves scrambling to pick up the scraps from Stars, and the pickings have been quite slim.

Thus far all Southampton have to talk about is winning the Western Counties Cup.

For Bay the level of desperation goes even deeper, having lost out in the Eastern Counties and not even rated a Camel Cup berth in the league.