There were very few surprises at both ends of the Island on Saturday night when Cup Match rivals St.George's and Somerset unveiled their teams for this week's classic at Wellington Oval.

Having been forced to make two changes from last year's squad following the retirement of South African all-rounder Saleem Mukuddem and injury to opening bat Dion Stovell, challengers Somerset recalled pace ace Kevin Hurdle and opted to go with one colt in flourishing all-rounder Derek Brangman, who virtually picked himself after producing an outstanding all-round performance in Saturday's final trial match in the West End.

Brangman belted an aggressive half- century (56) and along with cousin and Devonshire team-mate Dean Stephens (68) added 121 runs for the fourth-wicket after the Vice-President's XI had quickly slipped to 49 for three.

The promising young cricketer also had one catch and claimed one wicket during a reasonably tidy seven-over spell of off-spin bowling.

Club veterans Dwight Basden and Jermaine Warner were both overlooked, with the former eventually being chosen as a reserve for the second time in his career.

As predicted, the Somerset selectors enjoyed an early night at the office with closed door deliberations lasting just over an hour.

"It wasn't difficult to choose our team. There was an overall consensus among the selection committee and after one or two discussions on certain players the team was picked and the members were pleased when it was presented to them," commented Somerset chairman of selectors Mark Trott.

On paper, Somerset have chosen five genuine all-rounders, two specialist batsmen in Stephen Outerbridge and Azeem Pitcher, three spinners and three bowlers with new-ball capabilities.

"It's an aggressive team and a team that has a good blend of youth and experience and players who have rounded into top form at this time. We have players currently doing well with the bat and ball," Trott acknowledged.

"And I think at the end of the day we have to be aggressive and try and win the match. We definitely have to be aggressive and go after the win because they don't have to. St. George's have a team that has a lot of experience as well, but the onus to win is really on us."

The recalled Hurdle is now likely to share the new ball with either vice-captain Jacobi Robinson or Malachi Jones, while the in-form Outerbridge ¿ who cracked 84 in Saturday's final trial to spur the President's XI to a four-wicket victory ¿ could possibly face the St. George's' attack with either wicketkeeper/batsman Jekon Edness or Pitcher.

In what was perhaps a dress rehearsal, Outerbridge and Edness added 33 runs opening the batting for the President's XI.

"We have a number of choices and options and that is what is needed to take the cup from the champions," Trott added.

At the opposite end of the Island, champions St. George's also underwent subtle change this year with Grenada batsman James Celestine erasing any doubts in the selectors' minds by smashing a brutal 72 off a mere 38 balls in a stroke-filled knock containing ten fours and four sixes that guided the President's XI to a five-wicket win at Wellington Oval.

"His record speaks for itself this season and on the day he picked himself," stated St.George's chairman of selectors Lewis Foggo.

Despite falling cheaply (five) to a nasty delivery that stood up from a good length, recalled St. David's wicketkeeper/batsman Chris Foggo got the nod over St. George's' counterpart Jason Anderson to fill the void behind the stumps left by veteran Dean Minors who has been ruled out this year through injury.

"That was really a difficult decision to make ¿ but at the end of the day we are satisfied with the player who was chosen who is more than capable of doing the job," Foggo added.

Dropped was specialists fielder and early order bat Troy Hall while explosive batsman Glenn Blakeney and England-based seamer Stefan Kelly both failed in their bids to reclaim spots on the champions' team this year.

Former St. George's skipper Gregg Foggo did not take part in Saturday's final trial in the East End.

With six specialists batsmen and five all-rounders in their team, St.George's have batting depth from number one to ten, and in Rodney Trott and Delyone Borden two of the Island's top spinners.

Borden milked the most out of a turning wicket at Wellington Oval on Saturday, claiming five for 36 off 9.4 overs, while St.David's team-mate George O'Brien jr ¿ one of six Islanders in the St.George's' team ¿ seized four for 42 off 12 overs as the Vice-President's XI were restricted to 156 all out in 37.4 overs.

"We have some of the most in form batsman in the country right now playing in our team and also capable bowlers. So we have plenty of options," Foggo added.

It took the St. George's selectors over three hours to pick their final squad, which was finally announced in the early hours of Sunday morning (after 1 a.m.) following a few debates behind closed doors.

"You can't always have who everybody wants in your team," Lewis pointed out.

"We had one or two comments about the inclusion of certain players.

"But for the most part most people seemed pleased with the team we selected."