Challengers Willow Cuts enter today's first round of the Western Counties against holders Somerset Bridge at White Hill Field heavily favoured to wrest the title from their lowly First Division opponents.

However, veteran Cuts player Dexter Basden isn't about to take his opponents for granted.

"It's going to be a dogfight," he warned. "With Bridge it's always been a dogfight - no matter what they do in the league.

"When it comes to playing against us . . . we tend to bring the best out of them. It's just a tradition with them and us and it's always a good game. But on the day, the best team will win."

On paper, Cuts clearly have an edge over Bridge with the likes of skipper Richard Basden, Reggie Tucker Jr and Dexter Basden along with guest players Wendell White and Jacobi Robinson both included to further boosts their ranks.

However, if form is anything to go by, then not much separates the two teams given their lacklustre performances in league play.

Both clubs are currently lying near the cellar in their respective divisions, with Cuts staring straight down the relegation barrel.

But as history suggests, County Cup has a strange way of bringing out the best in a team - just ask Southampton Rangers.

Thus, the team who want it the most on the day will likely prevail in the 50-over contest.

Bridge will be without medium pacer Tacoma Robinson and veteran guest player Arnold Manders for today's clash. The White Hill club have again pinned their hopes of success on the big bat of guest player Curtis Jackson who single-handedly destroyed Southampton's County hopes during last season's final.

Meanwhile, elsewhere today, St.George's will attempt to keep pace with league leaders Southampton when they take on St.David's at Lords. Both teams had the previous weekend off due to the arrival of the Pequot Indians.

St.George's are coming off a stunning 24-run win over Southampton.

Today also sees First Division clubs IFP Leg Trappers and Social Club squaring off in a make-up contest at Sea Breeze Oval, the first of back to back meetings between the two sides over the weekend.

In tomorrow's Premier action, Cleveland and Western Stars will do battle at St.John's Field in the hope of keeping their fading league title hopes alive, while St.George's travel west to take on Willow Cuts at Somerset Cricket Club minus skipper Charlie Marshall who is currently off the Island.

St.David's host Somerset at Lords while league leaders Southampton face lowly PHC at Southampton Oval. PHC won't need reminding of last weekend's 202-run loss to Rangers who skittled them out for a meagre 47 runs.

In First Division play, frontrunners Flatts and Bailey's Bay square off at Sea Breeze Oval in a contest with league title implications while another team in the thick of the hunt, Devonshire Rec, take on an unpredictable Police team at Devonshire Rec.

Leg Trappers and Social Club, meanwhile, will do battle at Police Field while Somerset Bridge and Warwick meet at White Hill Field.

All matches begin at 12 noon.