St. David’s take on Rangers in early season crunch match
Southampton Rangers travel to Lords tomorrow to clash with champions St David’s in a much anticipated match early in the season with both sides looking to get back to winning ways.The two clubs have a win and a loss from their opening two games and will need maximum points if they are to keep pace with leaders Bailey’s Bay.Rangers suffered their first defeat of the campaign at the hands of Bay and won’t be in a generous mood when they take to the field against the reigning 50-over champions.For Rangers batsman Dion Stovell, the game won’t determine his side’s season regardless of the result as long as they can get maximum batting and bowling points.That could go a long way in determining the final positions of teams at the end of the season.“It is a very important game for both sides and with our recent loss to Bailey’s Bay we need to get these points,” said Stovell.“We can’t take St David’s for granted as they have one of the best teams in the league on paper, and on any day they can destroy a side with their bowling and batting.“The points system makes games interesting because you can lose the game but get points for batting and bowling, so we will be looking for the win as well as the points that are available.“The little mistakes are costing us right now but we are still in it.“We play for everything run-outs, batting and bowling points and some teams aren’t really using the points system to their advantage so they are losing valuable points as well.”Stovell pointed to the small mistakes his team are making being the difference between victory and defeat, and although they have been knocked out the KO Cup and chasing Bay in the league, he says not all is lost.“If we can just stick to our jobs on the pitch then we will be fine, they can’t take us for granted because we are a good side and can beat anyone if we can all play our roles.“We are doing good thus far in the campaign and apart from the little mistakes we are making we are right were we want to be minus the loss to Bay.”Elsewhere tomorrow in the Premier Division, Devonshire Rec travel to Sea Breeze Oval to take on leaders Bay while Willow Cuts welcome Cleveland to Somerset Cricket Club.In the First Division, Somerset Bridge take on Somerset at White Hill Field in the west end derby, while Western Stars take on St.George’s at St. John’s Field and PHC host Flatts at PHC Field.Warwick meet YMSC at Devonshire Rec.Premier and First Division games begin at 11am.Today will see a host of double-headers across the Island in T20 action.Somerset meet Cleveland in the first match of a double-header at Southampton Oval while Warwick play Rangers in the second game.Leg Trappers have forfeited their game against Bailey’s Bay at Sea Breeze Oval with several of their players unavailable but Western Stars will meet Somerset Bridge at the same venue.Young Men’s Social Club lock horns with St David’s before Flatts and Devonshire Rec take to the field at Lords.The ECL Select play PHC at PHC Field and immediately after Willow Cuts clash with St. George’s.Opening games are scheduled for 11am and the second games at 3pm.