Bermuda's concerns over umpiring issues within the region will be well represented when a top delegation heads to the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association's 17th biennial convention in St. Vincent between May 21-26.

At a recent meeting the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association chose president Dennis Raynor and secretary Randy Butler as their two representatives while treasurer Janet Todd will also attend as an observer.

The meeting comes on the heels of the BCUA's most trouble-plagued season -- a 1994 campaign that saw the officials in a prolonged dispute with the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control.

That fiasco eventually led to the Board suspending BCUA members and the the formation of the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Union whose members were active for the majority of the season until the BCUA was finally reinstated.

But Raynor and his association are apparently anxious to put the events of last season behind them, even though they were offered the support of the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association.

As the trio prepare for the trip to St. Vincent, Raynor emphasised the importance of his association to concentrate on upgrading local umpires and working closely with their counterparts in the West Indies.

"We are looking forward to the conference in St. Vincent,'' said Raynor.

"Many of us have gained a good working relationship with other members over the years and look towards holding many fruitful discussions with them this time around. We have been sending members to it for a while.

"Hopefully last season's problems we experienced here are a thing of the past and we all can look ahead to improving all areas of our cricket.'' The last WICUA biennial convention was held in Bermuda in 1993 and the event was heralded as one of the best ever by their current secretary Johnny Gayle.

Prior to that meeting, the event had last been held in Bermuda in 1975.

Former champions Pembroke United and Safeguard Security have returned to the Commercial Cricket League, boosting the line-up from five to seven teams for the new season starting on May 7.

Both have been drawn away in first round matches -- Safeguard against North Village and Pembroke against defending league champions West Indian Association. The other game features St. David's against Forties.

Sandys Sports Club, the only club not represented at this week's annual general meeting, were given a bye. The league will take a break on May 14 because of the Australian tour and resume on May 21.

Safeguard's best season was in 1989 when they won both the league and Knockout while Pembroke were league champions in 1990.

Their return means the League Cup -- introduced two seasons ago and one of three main trophies previously up for grabs -- will be scrapped this season.