Clay Smith doesn't expect the `welcome home' mat to be laid out when he returns to Wellington Oval with his new team, St. David's, later this month.

Having enjoyed a love-hate relationship with the St. George's fans since losing Cup Match in 1996 -- though he redeemed himself by winning the trophy back the following year -- Smith knows all eyes will be on him when St.

David's open their defence of the Knockout title against their neighbours and fierce rivals on May 23.

The contest will also feature former St. David's captain Herbie Bascome and Philip Pitcher and former St. George's captain Graham Fox and Lionel Cann playing against their old teams.

The game, a repeat of last year's final in which the teams finished level on scores before St. David's won by virtue of having lost fewer wickets, is the most eagerly awaited match in the first month of the season.

Adding to the intrigue are rumours circulating that Smith's Cup Match spot is in jeopardy.

"I know I'm not going to get much of a warm reception but once I get through my first 10 runs I'll be comfortable, and hopefully I can go on and get a big knock,'' said Smith this week.

Smith has mostly been abroad in school since news of his transfer to St.

David's broke in January and he hasn't been in contact with many St. George's people to guage their feeling.

"I haven't really had a chance but I know that a lot of them, just from word of mouth, aren't very happy with me going. There's already talk about me not going to Cup Match and sometimes you just have to go and pick yourself, and that's my goal.

"If I score tons of runs and they decide not to pick me then to me the public of Bermuda are the ones losing out and not myself.'' Smith, who was unsuccessful in getting the coaching job at St. David's last season, stands by his decision to leave St. George's. He insists it was the right move at this stage of his career and is excited about the prospects for the season with his new club, despite the opening day loss to Bailey's Bay last Sunday.

"In some ways I'm very happy we did get Bailey's Bay early, I really thought we would be able to catch them off guard,'' said the new St. David's captain.

"They are the type of team you want to catch early, before they get into their full stride. But we weren't able to capitalise on our good start.

"The team showed a lot of promise and there's four top quality players who didn't play for us -- Dale (Fox), Kameron (Fox), Graham (Fox) and Chris Foggo still has to return from school -- so the team is going to go from strength to strength.'' Smith, the top allrounder last season, could only manage one run on his debut for St. David's, and admits his wicket swung the match in Bay's favour.

"My wicket cost us the game, to some degree. Looking at myself, Lionel (Cann), Del (Hollis) and O.J. (Pitcher) right in the middle, between the four of us we didn't even get 10 runs and that's where the game was lost.

"I just hope these guys don't get discouraged and can continue through a whole season. Hopefully this team can stick together and if they do that I'm sure we'll succeed in accomplishing our goal of finishing in the top four.

"This week I'm glad we have a team like (Somerset) Bridge because it enables us, hopefully, to get some much needed batting practice before we go down to Wellington Oval for our derby. It's going to be a derby even more with me going back home.'' Smith tips four teams to battle for the league title -- Bay, Western Stars, St. George's and St. David's. He sees his departure from St. George's as a positive move for his new club rather than a negative one for his old one.

"I felt I had done all I could as far as a cricketer in St. George's and now I feel it's time to spread my knowledge elsewhere and help improve the standard of cricket around the Island,'' said Bermuda's top batsman.

"St. George's still have Wendell (his brother) as coach and he's taking them to a level and with me going to St. David's it just makes another team that much better.

"When you think about teams winning the league you automatically think about Bay, Stars and St. George's, but now with Lionel, myself and Dale returning you have to filter St. David's into the picture as well.'' Despite the season opening upsets by teams like Cleveland and Flatts, Smith doesn't think either will be serious contenders, even though they can play a part in helping make it a competitive season.

"I still personally think it's down to four teams,'' he stressed. "You have those teams like Flatts, Willow Cuts, Police, Cleveland and Rangers who, if you don't play up to par, are capable of beating you. But I don't predict any of them winning the league title.''