Ricky Brangman, the St David’s coach, is confident his team can reclaim the Eastern Counties Cup at the first attempt against holders Bailey’s Bay in the opening round of the competition at Sea Breeze Oval today.

The challengers have made six changes to their team from the one that was dethroned by Bay in last year’s final, which Brangman believes can be equal to the task at hand.

“We feel pretty good that we can win the cup back,” he said. “I think we have a very good team and I am confident they can get the job done.

“The guys are really motivated and had a nice session last night [Thursday]. We sat down and talked about the challenge and the guys are really up for it.”

Among the changes in St David’s new-look team are colts Marcus Scotland and Jonté Smith.

Scotland, grandson of St George’s Cup Match legend Rupert Scotland, demonstrated his enormous potential while grooming his skills in England at London Schools.

The wicketkeeper and top-order batter has already represented St David’s in the Junior Eastern Counties, thumping a magnificent 112 before retiring against Flatts six years ago.

All-rounder Smith, better known for his exploits on the football pitch at several clubs in England and Europe, has turned his attention to cricket in recent times and last year made his Cup Match debut for St George’s.

“Those guys have been wanting to play,” Brangman added.

“Jonté is a good player and Marcus is also a good, young up-and-coming player who has been in England playing, and it’s time for those guys to show their talent now.”

Earning recalls are Brian Hall, Aaron Paynter, Oronde Bascome and Isaiah O’Brien, while captain Justin Pitcher, OJ Pitcher, George O’Brien Jr, Macai Simmons and Seth Campbell are the surviving members from the team that lost to Bay by 80 runs last year.

“I think we have a well-balanced team of youth and experience, and it’s always nice to see young guys playing,” Brangman said.

“These guys deserve to play and I hope they have a good game.”

St David’s are without suspended pair of Chris Douglas and Ricardo Brangman, who have paid the penalty for being found guilty of separate Level Two disciplinary charges for showing “serious dissent at an umpire’s decision”.

Coach Brangman added: “It’s a big miss because they are both good players. But I think the team that we picked is good enough to do the job.”

St David’s are facing a daunting task against a powerful Bay team featuring Bermuda captain Delray Rawlins and guest players Tre Manders and Malachi Jones.

The holders have made three changes to their team from the one that dethroned St David’s, with former Sussex all-rounder Rawlins coming in as a colt and Azende Furbert and Jones earning recalls.

The selection of experienced all-rounder Jones has been met with fierce opposition since Bay announced their team on Wednesday night.

Bay coach Gus Logie and captain Terryn Fray were unavailable for further comment yesterday.

Today’s match could turn out to be a particularly memorable one for St David’s all-rounder OJ Pitcher and Bay batter Stephen Outerbridge, who are within striking distance of reaching the 1,000-run milestone in the competition. Pitcher has scored 965 runs and Outerbridge, Bay’s club president, 946.

Bay legends Charlie Marshall (2,118), Noel Gibbons (1,915) and Ricky Hill (1,270) along with St David’s counterparts Albert Steede (1,397) and Allen Richardson (1,218) are the existing members of the 1,000-run club.

Gibbons, the former Bay captain, was the first to reach the milestone in 1985.

Meanwhile, the Athene T20 League continues tomorrow.

Premier Division action will see St David’s host Bay at Lord’s in the second meeting between the teams in as many days, with St George’s taking on Western Stars at North Field, National Sports Centre, and Willow Cuts doing battle with Somerset at Somerset Cricket Club.

There is also a full slate of First Division matches scheduled with Cleveland County squaring off with Flatts at Lord’s, Warwick locking horns with Southampton Rangers at Southampton Oval while Devonshire Rec will play Somerset Bridge at North Field.

Also on tap are the Women’s T20 Knockout Cup fixtures pitting Western Stars against Warwick at Southampton Oval and St David’s against Devonshire Rec at Somerset Cricket Club.