Defending champions PHC will rest their Kenneth (Mickey) Thompson Memorial Super Sevens title on the line, starting today at Southampton Oval.

Last season saw PHC avenge a narrow loss to Warwick in the competition’s inaugural final in 2005, courtesy of a six-wicket win at White Hill Field.

And interim coach Mark Smith is now confident his team can retain their title, despite being without three key players this weekend.

“We are going in to defend our title,” he declared. “But it’s about having fun and going out there and enjoying ourselves and being serious at the same time.”

Missing for this weekend’s assignment are early order bats Sheridan (Baldy) Ming and Andre (Doc) Manders as well as all-rounder Kyle Lightbourne. But Smith intends to fill the void with some of his up and coming players who he feels have what it takes to get the job done.

“We have a couple of youngsters that we are trying to give a show. So we are going to mix it all up a bit and everybody will get a show because it’s not about a set seven,” he said on the eve of the tournament played in memory of the late Somerset Bridge, Southampton Rangers and Somerset Cup Match batsman.

Smith is no stranger to the post, having previously coached at PHC following the departure of St.David’s pair James Pace and Allen Richardson before moving to nearby Southampton Rangers.

“I’m just taking things step by step in my new role,” the all-rounder added.

PHC have again pinned their hopes on a solid seam attack containing the likes of Neil Anglin, Kevin Tucker, Shoron Hunt, Charles Symonds and newcomer Jamie Ford.

Smith, however, might encounter difficulties choosing a new ball pair although veteran seamers Anglin, Hunt and Symonds are most likely to get the nod.

But with Ming, Manders and Lightbourne all unavailable, added pressure will be placed on the shoulders of all-rounders Daniel Caines and Cal Waldron and batsmen Gerald Simons and Arthur Richards, a cousin of legendary West Indies player Sir Viv Richards.

This year’s weekend-long event will again feature Western Counties teams Warwick, PHC, Somerset Bridge and Willow Cuts along with newcomers Leg Trappers, Devonshire and Bermuda’s Under 19 national squad who replaced Somerset Cricket Club at the eleventh hour.

Today will see all teams compete in two groups of four with the top two teams at the end of the group stage advancing to tomorrow’s semi-finals and final at the Oval.