Holders St David’s have made one change to their team that will put their title on the line against challengers Bailey’s Bay in the Eastern Counties Cup final at Sea Breeze today.

Youngster Aaron Paynter has been recalled in place of Ricky Foggo, who made his debut in the previous round as a colt in St David’s thrilling eight-run win over Cleveland.

Paynter, who is the nephew of former Bay pair Mark and Roger Trott, claimed two wickets in a maiden first over on his debut in the competition as a colt in St David’s 180-run win over Flatts in the first round on July 17.

He was then one of two changes the champions made to their team for their second round commitment with Cleveland as he was replaced by colt Foggo, with recall Sammy Robinson coming in as cover for the injured Macai Simmons.

Justin Pitcher, the captain, George O’Brien, Chris Douglas, Shannon Rayner, Oronde Bascome, Ricardo Brangman, the wicketkeeper-batsman, Seth Campbell, Dean Simons, Brian Hall and Robinson make up the remainder of St David’s team.

Seam bowler and vice-captain O’Brien was questionable having injured his knee amid jubilant St David’s celebrations shortly after claiming the last Cleveland wicket to clinch his team’s victory.

As a result he did not play in St David’s three-wicket defeat by Willow Cuts at Somerset Cricket Club last weekend.

However, he has since been declared fit and will once again be heavily relied upon to deliver the goods with the ball.

O’Brien played an integral role in St David’s hard fought win against Cleveland as he claimed six for 63, three of which came in his first over sharing the new ball with Campbell.

Pitcher also featured prominently, stroking a maiden hundred (103) to lead a fightback after the holders slumped to 38 for five after being sent to bat by the challengers.

Ricky Brangman, the St David’s coach, was unavailable for comment yesterday.

St David’s and Bay played to a draw the last time the teams met in the competition in 2019.

Challengers Bay have made five changes to their line-up which includes three colts in Detroy Smith, Sancho Jackson and Cameron Jeffers. Terryn Fray, the captain, Sinclair Smith, the wicketkeeper-batsman, Zeko Burgess, Rodney Trott, Jordan Burgess, Malachi Jones, Tre Manders and Kyle Hodsoll make up the remainder of Bay’s team.

Regular opening batsman Coolidge Durham, who has been named as a reserve, is among the noticeable absentees.

St David’s and Bay have already met twice this season in the Twenty20 Premier Division.

Bay won the first encounter by 27 runs at Sea Breeze Oval on July 4 and St David’s the return fixture by 52 runs at Lord’s on August 15.

• Twenty20 Premier Division leaders Southampton Rangers will be keen to put an end to a two-game losing streak.

Janeiro Tucker’s men have suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of St George’s and Somerset, which has blown the title race wide open.

Rangers top the pile on net run rate over Bailey’s Bay and Somerset.

They are away to bottom side Willow Cuts at White Hill Field tomorrow, while Bay and Somerset will do battle at Southampton Oval.

St David’s and St George’s will meet in the remaining top-flight match at Lords.

Twenty20 First Division match ups will see present leaders Warwick face off against Cleveland at Southampton Oval, while second placed Western Stars will lock horns with Somerset Bridge at White Hill Field.

PHC and Flatts will go head-to-head at Lords in the remaining match, while Devonshire have a bye.