could not have been more timely.

With the veteran included in their line-up it could be the sort of boost that Bailey's Bay will need going into their two crucial matches on the weekend -- tomorrow's Open Knockout semifinal against Police at Police field and Sunday's vital league fixture against champions Devonshire Rec. at Sea Breeze Oval.

They are the knockout champions.

Team skipper Chris Smith obviously will be hoping that the return of Gibbons will help to restore interest among the players, especially since they have struggled to field a full team during their last three league fixtures.

Gibbons, who has just concluded his first season with Halesowen in the Birmingham League Conference, was expecting to return home in time for Bailey's Bay's league game of the season on September 27 against Hamilton Parish -- but with Halesowen failing to reach the play-offs in the knockout competition it enabled him to return home earlier than expected.

And yesterday he expressed his delight to find Bailey's Bay in the knockout semifinal and making a strong challenge for the league title.

"I am really pleased with the way Bay have played since I was abroad. I know they have had problems fielding a team, but still the results are going their way,'' he said.

"It is a nice time to come back with the team just seven points out of first place in the league and having reached as far as the semifinals of the knockout.'' The all-rounder admitted to have been surprised to hear about their difficulties to field a team, claiming that this was totally out of character for the club. "I've just come back and haven't had time to talk with the guys about it, but that's not Bay,'' he said.

Looking ahead at the two weekend matches Gibbons noted that both games are important. "We are the defending champions in the knockout and it is important that we hold on to that title. We still have a chance to win the league, we haven't won it since 1978. This could be a make-or-break weekend to see how our season has really gone, in fact this is a major weekend.'' Gibbons regarded his first year with Halesowen as being successful and felt that he helped to make a major contribution. They were dead last when he got to England in June and with his aid they were able to make a significant climb up six positions.

He was considering a move next year to another Birmingham club, Smethwick, who had made him a better offer. But he now plans to stick with Halesowen.

NOEL GIBBONS -- Back to assist Bay's double title push.