Challengers St. George's made four changes to this year's Cup Match team following a two and a half hour meeting on Saturday night. And there's a strong belief in the east end camp that they can regain the coveted trophy.

"We've picked a winner, we've given the captain the tools that he would like to work with in order to bring the cup back to its rightful home," said an enthusiastic Gladwin Paynter, chairman of the selection committee.

One of the key moves was to go with two spinners - colts Peter Philpott and Travis Smith - while also naming veteran medium pacer Gary Brangman and young all-rounder O.J.Pitcher.

But there were no real surprises with three players coming in for a trio who had ruled themselves out through inactivity this season - David Adams, Jason Anderson and Dale Fox.

The fourth place was filled when last year's opener Phillip Pitcher was overlooked after making a duck in Saturday's final trial match.

In making the changes, one thing St. George's did was strengthen their bowling attack which was pummelled by Somerset in last year's contest. It also took on a new look with two spinners being added after they had relied on Adams for their slow bowling a year ago.

"I think the skipper has the two spinners he wished and I believe that we have a sufficient bowling attack and enough bats to score runs quickly. I said that there would be roughly four changes going into the final trial and that's what we have," said Paynter.

"It's a good team, it's more balanced than last year's. With the two spinners combined with the very experienced veteran medium pacer bowler Brangman and young Pitcher, who missed last year's game because of an injured finger, we should be fine."

Paynter, however, wouldn't reveal what had been the major difficulty in picking the team, nor would he comment on why one player he personally planned on supporting, young all-rounder Delyone Borden, had been left out.

Of the four added to the team only Brangman excelled in the final trial even though three of his four wickets were those of tailenders.

"Let's keep what happened in the selection room where it belongs, it's not for public consumption," said Paynter.

"But what I can say with confidence is that we have picked a team we know will win and on Friday when we leave Somerset on the boat we will be in possession of our trophy once again."

One big talking point at the final trial was the early order batting. And fans were wondering who St. George's would name to open with Glenn Blakeney and thus replace Pitcher.

Paynter had his own opinion but said that it would be left to the skipper whom he felt had a number of players capable of doing a fine job.

Going into the final trial he had named Clay Smith, Mark Ray and Peter Philpott as the likely replacements but with Ray stroking 67 and putting on 34 with Blakeney, who hit 30 for the Vice-President's XI, they may feel this to be the best combination. Smith also struck an elegant 30 and had made it clear that he would relish the chance to open the batting also.

Herbie Bascome led the Vice President's XI to a 40-run victory over Charlie Marshall's President's XI. Scores: Vice President's XI 240-8, Vice President's XI 200.

Mark Ray led the President's XI with 67 while Gary Brangman took four for 49, Marshall top scored for his team with 91 (eight sixes and six fours) while Gregg Foggo took two for 37.