Bailey?s Bay will get the first shot at dethroning champions St.David?s in the opening round of the popular Eastern Counties competition at Sea Breeze Oval on July 22 in what will be a repeat of last year?s final.

St.David?s wrested the 103-year-old cup from Bay via an exciting six-run victory at Lord?s to put an end to their perennial rivals? two-year grip on the silverware.

But with home field advantage this time around, Bay will be looking to exact revenge in front of their own fans, a feat they achieved led by the explosive bat of Charlie Marshall in 2002.

The eventual winners will meet Cleveland in the second round scheduled for August 19 to play for the right to take on Flatts in the final round on September 2.

Long serving president of the Eastern Counties Cricket Association (ECCA) Harold Millett anticipates another exciting series this summer, and hopes to see plans to host an incoming youth tour and a senior golf tournament come to fruition.

?Cricket will again be the winner in every sense of the word and we anticipate another very exciting series,? he said.

Millett previously represented St.David?s in the popular Counties games from 1958 to 1973 as an early order batsman/wicketkeeper.

The former Government pilot shares batting records for the first wicket (149) and third wickets (114) with Vernon Foggo and well-known umpire Jeff Pitcher.

He accounted for 17 dismissals keeping wicket for the Islanders.

?We are presently working with our junior programme and plan on hosting a Canadian tour involving youngsters under the age of 15,? Millett said.

Organisers have tentative plans to host the Canadians in mid August and also hold a major golf tournament at Belmont Hills geared towards raising funds for the association?s youth programme.

?Last year we were able to provide playing kits for the junior leagues. We provided helmets, gloves and cricket pads to each of the four county clubs,? Millett said.

Cleveland are the defending Junior Eastern Counties champions, having upset St.David?s in last summer?s final to deny the Islanders the ?double?.

ECCA treasurer Stephen Douglas added: ?Hopefully the tour works out well and our youngsters can travel to Canada next year.?