St George’s legend Clarence Parfitt believes the Cup Match “tide is turning” and is backing the challengers to put an end to Somerset’s dominance this year.

The West Enders have held a stranglehold on the coveted cup for the past 12 years and are again heading into the two-day classic as firm favourites.

However, Parfitt feels he has identified potential chinks in the champions’ armour that St George’s can exploit on their home turf at Wellington Oval on Thursday and Friday.

“Looking at Somerset’s team, I see a couple of players that will possibly give them problems,” he told The Royal Gazette. “That’s what I looked at, but it all depends on how the bowlers bowl.

“The tide is turning and I think St George’s can win it this year if it works out good. I just have this feeling that they’re starting to get it right.”

This year marks a special occasion for Parfitt as it is the 60th anniversary of his spectacular arrival on the Cup Match scene at Wellington Oval in 1965, when the left-arm swing bowler claimed 15 wickets on his debut, a record that still stands.

“It’s been 59 years so far and it won’t be broken for a little while,” said Parfitt, who also holds the Cup Match records for the most wickets (115) and best bowling in an innings (nine for 47).

The Bermuda Sports Hall of Fame inductee was an integral part in helping St George’s cling to the Cup for 19 years, a record Parfitt does not see Somerset breaking.

“They won’t make that,” he said. “It goes around in circles, and the tide is turning.”

Somerset’s decision to make three changes to the team that beat St George’s by 226 runs at Somerset surprised the Cup Match legend.

“They have made a few changes and I thought it was supposed to be only one,” Parfitt said.

They have three colts, so that means they are trying to rebuild because if you don’t rebuild you fall down. That’s where we fell down years ago, as everybody went at once.”

Bermuda Under-19 captain, wicketkeeper-batter Zeri Tomlinson, and batters Dalin Richardson and Alex Dore have replaced Alje Richardson, who was ruled out with a hamstring injury, and Steven Bremar Jr and Jermal Proctor, who were both dropped from Janeiro Tucker’s squad.

St George’s have made three changes to their team from last year, with captain Sinclair Smith returning to the fold behind the stumps and Bermuda Under-19 all-rounders Isaiah O’Brien and Luke Horan poised to make their debut.

“I think they have made some good changes,” Parfitt said.

“They have brought some youngsters in and the team looks fairly good. I guess it’s the best they can pick, so I can’t complain with that. They just have to keep it simple and I hope they prove me right.”

St George’s have retained star all-rounder Delray Rawlins despite him having been ruled out of their final Cup Match trial at the weekend through illness. It is a decision Parfitt has no qualms about.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that,” he said. “He wasn’t well, the club knew about it and at least he was there, so that would make it right.”