when captain Clay Smith leads them against the team he captained in last year's final.

Even under normal circumstances matches between neighbours St. George's and St. David's are keenly contested.

This derby will be that and plenty more as the two teams aim to settle a score, after last year's final saw the teams finish with identical scores before St. David's were declared the winners two days later because of losing fewer wickets.

That turned out to be the only loss of the season for St. George's who were chasing an Open League, Camel Cup and Knockout Cup triple before St. David's got in their way. Before that match St. George's had got the better of recent exchanges between the teams, but the Islanders are no longer pushovers and will go into the match with a good chance of inflicting the first defeat on St. George's this season.

In Smith they have a man who is more than capable of winning the match singlehandedly -- as he has done on several occasions for St. George's. This time he won't have the St. George's spectators behind him, though, having upset a few people by leaving the club to take a player-coach position with St. David's.

Smith has already heard the rumours that his Cup Match place might be in jeopardy and has acknowledged that he doesn't expect a friendly reception on his return.

Smith also realises that the best way to silence the home crowd is to get amongst the runs. At this stage last season he already had four 50s under his belt, but so far has had only one knock, scoring one against Bailey's Bay in the season opener.

"I know I'm not going to get much of a warm reception but once I get through my first 10 runs I'll be confortable after that and hopefully I can go on and get a big knock,'' Smith told the Royal Gazette recently.

Smith will not be the only one coming up against his former team as Lionel Cann was also a St. George's player last season before returning to St.

David's. St. George's are now captained by an ex-St. David's skipper, Herbie Bascome, while Phillip Pitcher is also now in their team.

Despite the rivalry that exists, the two clubs recognise the talent in the other camp. St. David's have called on St. George's players for Eastern Counties while St. George's look south when picking their Colts Cup Match and Cup Match teams.

Three other first round matches could also be close. Willow Cuts, who lost their season-opener to Flatts, will get the chance for revenge when they meet the Eastern Counties team for the second time in three weeks, again at Somerset.

Western Stars and Police are both looking to bounce back from losses in the Camel Cup semi-final last weekend. Stars are at home to unpredictable Southampton Rangers at St. John's field, while Police entertain Cleveland at Police Field as Peter Philpott, now back with Cleveland, goes up against his former Police teammates.

In other matches Bailey's Bay should be favoured over Warwick at Sea Breeze Oval, Devonshire Rec. host Social Club and Somerset Bridge meet PHC at White Hill field. All matches start at noon.