this weekend with two limited matches that will make or break their season.

Today the east enders take on Knockout Cup semi-final victims, Western Stars, for the limited overs title at Wellington Oval and tomorrow they meet Cleveland in the Knockout Cup final at White Hill field.

St. George's will be renewing acquaintances with three players who engineered Somerset's shock victory in Cup Match -- Stars batsmen Albert Steede, Treadwell Gibbons and Jeff Richardson.

The teams have already met twice this season, Stars thrashing St. George's in the Camel Cup final in May before St. George's gained revenge with a thrilling last-ball victory in the Knockout Cup semi final.

While no team will make a virtual clean sweep of the honours like Bailey's Bay two years ago, the debate as to who is the best limited overs team in Bermuda will surely surface again this weekend.

Bay are out of the running for that one, having been beaten by both St.

George's and Stars, both of whom still consider themselves worthy of the title.

The east enders should be favourites to defend their Knockout title against Cleveland the following day, but the Stars match is certainly the one that should generate the most interest.

"It could be a double or nothing weekend or it could be a split, who knows,'' said veteran St. George's batsman Wendell Smith who has already confirmed he will be missing because of a knee injury he got in Cup Match.

So slow has the injury been healing that Smith, who will see another doctor next week, fears surgery could be required. He got the injury when diving for a catch in the covers on the first day of Cup Match. "The minute I got up I noticed stiffness in the back of my knee,'' explained Smith. "That night it just swelled up and was really sore.'' Despite a rest of more than a month, Smith admits he hasn't "even barely recovered'' from the injury.

"I think I might have done some structural damage,'' he says, pointing out that it wasn't the same knee that was giving him problems a couple of years ago.

"It's my strong knee in fact,'' he explained. "I think I'll probably have to have surgery on my knee because I've had two different anti-inflammatories and they're not working.

"It's a pity because we're in two big games and obviously I was looking forward to them, especially Sunday because it's a knockout and we are the defending champions.'' Home advantage will give St. George's a slight edge against Stars today but the visitors have had some of their key players like captain Arnold Manders, Albert Steede, Treadwell Gibbons and Jeff Richardson in action recently in the Western or Eastern Counties, while only Gregg Foggo and Herbie Bascome have been in action for St. George's lately.

"At times this year there wasn't a doubt that Stars were the best team in Bermuda,'' Smith acknowledges.

"When they beat Bailey's Bay at St. John's they were fielding excellent and were on form with their batting.

"But the day we beat them at St. David's that was the best cricket we played all year, too. It would be nice to win something for our efforts all year.'' While the rivalry between St. George's and Stars is well documented, Smith also sees a keen battle with Cleveland tomorrow.

"Because of the nature of their spectators we've had a real good rivalry with Cleveland in that there have been some high scoring matches,'' said Smith, remembering a meeting earlier this season at Sea Breeze Oval when Cleveland scored 351-9 and St. George's were 223-2 at the close.

The Overs competition is set to wrap up today with relegation matches.

Cleveland, second from bottom, have to win against Willow Cuts at Sea Breeze Oval in order to move level on four points with Nationals while last-placed St. David's also face a must-win situation against Police at home.

Two teams are to be relegated and if St. David's and Cleveland win then four teams will be tied on four points, bringing net run rate into the equation.

In First Division Overs today, Devonshire take on Somerset Bridge and Flatts host Southampton Rangers.

WENDELL SMITH -- out this weekend with knee injury