against Devonshire Rec. without the services of spinner Lyndon Raynor and fast bowler Ryan Belboda, but skipper Ricky Brangman still reckons they have an even chance of beating their powerhouse opponents at Devonshire Rec. field.

Last season the two teams met in the semifinals and it was Devonshire who advanced to the final as a result of a six-wicket victory at Nationals. Now Brangman is in position to avenge that defeat.

But he knows his task will be tough with team morale high at Devonshire following their successful five-game tour of England. And Brangman is also mindful of the one-wicket victory Devonshire scored in the only meeting between the teams this season, which was at Devonshire Rec. on May 3.

"It was a close game at the start of the season, one that went right down to the wire,'' recalled the Southampton skipper of the game, which saw opening bat Roger Trott score 93 not out for Devonshire.

"We haven't met since then. We have come along fine, our players are doing quite well and I expect a good, tough game from Devonshire this time once again,'' said Brangman.

"Devonshire have just come off a good tour and I expect them to be in top form. But I'm confident we will do well, even though we will be without the two players. We have suitable replacements to come in and take up the slack,'' he added.

While these two battle in what appears to be the most exciting clash, defending champions Bailey's Bay take on Cleveland at Sea Breeze Oval.

Last Sunday, Bailey's Bay struggled to beat a weak Warwick team by four wickets in a game that saw the home team play without one of their main strike bowlers, Clarkie Trott.

In his absence the bowling attack was forced to work for their wickets with Anthony Braithwaite opening with Glenn Smith who normally bowls spin.

Mystery surrounds Trott's failure to appear, and skipper Chris Smith refused to be drawn into commenting on his team's lacklustre attack against Warwick.

"I will only say that the game will be played and won on the field of play,'' he said.

One thing for certain is that they will be facing a more formidable batting line-up in Cleveland this time around.

In other games, Western Stars, the favourites for the league championship, take on Somerset at St. John's field and Police go against Flatts at Police field.