Defending champions Devonshire Recreation Club will be striving to repeat their Central Counties Cup success today by overcoming Social Club for the second successive year.

Another Devonshire triumph would be hark back to the halcyon days when they reined supreme in the prestigious competition after a lengthy drought.

Rec's Michael Glasford is confident they can overcome the challengers, with the in-form club sure to be in buoyant mood following some encouraging results this season.

"We have been doing pretty well so far and have a few good wins behind us — so I don't see any reason why that shouldn't continue against Social Club," he said.

"Our recent record against them is good and as defending champions that should give us added impetus to make sure we hang on to the trophy.

"Our captain Dean Stephens has been in good form and Ricardo Brangman jr has been getting plenty of runs — so that should bode well."

Despite the recent showers Glasford is confident today's clash will get the green light from the umpires with sunny weather predicted for the rest of the day.

He is hoping the showpiece final, to be held at the Devonshire Rec, will attract a strong crowd with both clubs enjoying a friendly, but competitive, rivalry.

"Both teams use the ground for their home games so there will be no advantage — I imagine there'll be a pretty good turnout."

Devonshire's opening round tie against challengers Western Stars was completely washed out by heavy rain, allowing the champions to retain their crown without taking field. They then overcame Police to secure a place in the final.

All-rounder Dean Stephens joined the likes of Gladstone (Sad) Brown, Lionel Thomas, Winston Trott and Erskine Smith as Devonshire skippers to have won the Central Counties Cup when his side won at Police Field last summer.

They followed up that win by beating Social Club in a 116-run victory in the final.

Devonshire also clinched the Central Counties Cup by beating Social Club in 2004.

Social Club will doing utmost to make sure they do not miss out on another piece of silverware after losing to Southampton Rangers in the Belco Cup earlier this month.