Bermuda and Devonshire Rec. captain Albert Steede join them next season.

St. David's saw their six-year hold on the county cup end on August 28 when Anthony Braithwaite led Bailey's Bay to a 48-run victory at Lord's.

That, plus a largely ineffective season from Devonshire Rec., which ended with a lopsided loss in the Knockout Cup final against St. George's, heightened widespread rumour that Steede could be on the go.

Steede has denied any knowledge of St. David's interest in him, but club secretary Stuart Crockwell this week said, "Something is in the works, but he hasn't signed the contract yet.'' Steede said he is more concerned with the national programme right now and will think about domestic cricket at a later date.

The contract Crockwell spoke of is as a player/coach and possibly captain.

James Pace, one year removed from Devonshire Rec. himself, was seen as the man to carry the Islanders through the '90s. But the loss of the Eastern Counties Cup and a mid-table finish in the league raises serious questions about his role should Steede be tempted to go east.

Steede made his debut for St. David's in the Eastern Counties in 1985 when he scored 57 against Bailey's Bay. He has been a popular player with the Islanders since and his first county century came four years later, also against Bay. In the final of that same season, he scored 88 against Cleveland.

The 25-year-old took over the Bermuda and Devonshire Rec. captaincy this year, leading Bermuda to a 3-2 record during a Barbados training camp.

The country's captaincy came his way after Wendell Smith (injury) and then Charlie Marshall (illness) suffered through adversity that made them unavailable for the March commitment.

The Bermuda Cricket Board of Control has decided to stick with Steede for the ICC Trophy Tournament, having taken another look at him when Derbyshire and a West Indies Board Select visited local shores.

Steede was injured during the Pakistan visit and vice-captain Clevie Wade was put in charge.

Steede's debut season as a club captain was less than spectacular, however, as Devonshire struggled to regain their status as a leading club.

The relationship with vice-captain Anthony Edwards at times was strained at best and spirits were never lower than after a crushing Central Counties loss to Western Stars when Devonshire appeared heading for victory.

A controversial decision to overturn a mid-season league loss to St. David's, of all teams, led to Devonshire finishing fourth in the league and thus qualifying for the 1994 Camel Cup.

Then came the final ignominy, a 72-run loss to St. George's in the KO Cup final after a superb bowling performance reduced the league champions to 171 for eight in 50 overs.

Rumours of a possible Steede move from Devonshire surfaced as early as Cup Match when Perry Maybury stated he might step down as Somerset captain.

Pundits feel that Steede, who was vice-captain for Cup Match, would be considered the obvious replacement but it appears that St. David's have beaten the west-enders to the punch.

SUMMER OF DISCONTENT -- Devonshire Rec. captain Albert Steede, right, and vice-captain Anthony Edwards in a difference of opinion.