One match is already off -- granted, not because of the weather -- but others could fall to the elements in what is seen as the most interesting weekend of the cricket season.

Today is the day that the Cup Match teams are selected, following final trials at St. George's and Somerset Cricket Clubs. But with rain forecast for the weekend it could put a damper on those two important matches as well as important league fixtures tomorrow.

Initially no league matches were scheduled for Sunday, so St. David's took the opportunity to arrange a club cruise. That cruise will still go ahead with the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control granting their wish to have their match with neighbours St. George's postponed.

Board president El James confirmed yesterday that the decision was made to call off the match so as to not interfere with a money-making venture for the club. No new date has been set for the match.

Interest today will focus at the two Cup Match clubs where a number of players will be bidding for places in next week's 98th annual classic.

Somerset already have a new captain in place, with Albert Steede replacing Dexter Basden, who will lead the vice president's team today, while there appears to be one certain change in the Cup Match team with bowler Charles Swan injured and not participating today.

Also not included, and doubtful for next week, is another colt from last year, Irving Romaine of Bailey's Bay, who is reportedly off the Island on a course.

Last year Somerset made six changes to their team, with five forced on them through injury suspension and unavailability. There could be several changes again with batsman Richard Basden set to return, while club players Wendell White, Leon Place and David Gibbs are all pushing for selection for the first time.

President Colin Smith assured yesterday that the captaincy issue has now been resolved and that Somerset will choose a team that will be competitive next week.

"Definitely, we're all in agreement that we're going to try to win this game outright,'' said Smith.

"I've talked to the present captain, the selection committee and the coach and we're expecting to be more than just competitive.'' Added Smith: "The issue over the captaincy has been addressed, so I have no further comments on that. With respect to the Dexter Basden incident, people have made their comments and I'm not going to take it any further.

"It rests within the club, the club has to deal with its internal problems, and I will not be thrashing it out in the press as I've expressed it to everybody already.'' That means that Albert Steede and not Basden, will be the fifth selector tonight during team deliberations. Somerset have the challenge of picking a team capable of dismissing the champions twice.

"It's the final piece in a project which started back in June,'' said Smith.

"The training and the trials all come down to the final selection, not just the final trial game.'' Tomorrow, the attention will focus at Southampton Oval where joint leaders Rangers and Bailey's Bay will battle for sole possession of first place.

Rangers, who hold down top spot on net run rate, showed themselves to be serious title contenders with a thrilling one-wicket victory over Western Stars in a high scoring match two weeks ago. And while Rangers will be still be on something of a high, Bay are hoping to have their recent internal squabbling resolved in time for this crucial fixture.

If not, they could be facing their third league and cup loss in four outings, which would slow up their push for a second straight league title. It is getting tight at the top where 10 points separate the top six teams.

With third-placed St. David's having the day off and Willow Cuts having a bye, Western Stars have the chance to move up another place from fourth spot. Stars are at home to Somerset Bridge in a match they should win easily while the other matches see Devonshire Rec. hosting Flatts, Police taking on Cleveland at Police Field and Somerset playing Warwick at Somerset.