LAST weekend’s second round of two-day matches might not have met with much enthusiasm from some players, but the situation should be different this weekend when 50-overs matches resume, including the Central Counties which enters the second round.The withdrawal of Bailey’s Bay and Police from the two-day competition, the inability of another club, Warwick, to field a full team and the postponement of the PHC-Cleveland match because White Hill Field was not prepared, leaves the Bermuda Cricket Board wondering what to do with the two-day league which is hardly meeting its objective of grooming young players. Unfortunately, it is those same players who are not showing a willingness to spend their weekends toiling in the sun on Saturdays and Sundays. No doubt it is something the board will be forced to reconsider for next season.

The interest level should be much higher over the next two weekends, though, as two-day makes way for 50-over play, including the popular Belco Cup next weekend involving the top four teams in the Premier Division.

The Under-19s, preparing for international competition this summer, will be in action on Saturday and Sunday as they reschedule matches to allow them to travel to Barbados in July and Toronto in August. The youngsters, for whom Malachi Jones and Rodney Trott are rotating the captaincy, will be looking to build on their opening win over Cleveland in their Premier Division match. They travel to Somerset to meet the west enders on Saturday in what will be a tough test for them as Jermaine Warner aims to carry on from his 136 against Flatts last weekend in the two-day league.

In another Premier Division match that has been brought forward, Cleveland will take on St. George’s at Wellington Oval, as both teams seek their first win of the season. Cleveland’s player-coach clay Clay Smith goes up against his former club.After a rained-out first match match with Western Stars, champions Devonshire Rec. will be hoping for better weather when they meet Police in the second round of the Central Counties on Saturday.

In Sunday’s Premier Division action, Cleveland have another home match, this time against Western Stars, Flatts travel to the west end to meet Somerset for the second straight meeting with Somerset, while St. George’s and St. David’s meet for the second straight weekend, this time in St. David’s. Lionel Cann was in punishing mood last weekend with the bat, slamming 87 off just 33 balls with 12 sixes and the St. George’s bowlers will be anxious to avoid similar punishment on Sunday. The other match sees the Under-19s face another tough outing when they travel to Southampton Oval to meet the champions.

Three of the teams will use matches this weekend to prepare for the Belco Cup next weekend. Holders Southampton Rangers will play Flatts next weekend as the Eastern Counties side make their debut in the competition as will Young Men’s Social Club who have this weekend off ahead of next weekend’s Belco Cup semi-final against St. David’s.

Four First Division 50-over matches are also scheduled for Sunday. Bailey’s Bay, now able to concentrate on one-day cricket after their withdrawal from the two-day league, are at home to Somerset Bridge. The same applies to another former top team, Police, who entertain Warwick at Police Field. In the remaining matches PHC take on Willow Cuts at White Hill Field and Devonshire Rec. welcome Leg Trappers to the Den.

50-overs game returns