This season's team of split personalities - Willow Cuts - have the chance to lift two trophies this weekend while relegation still hangs over their heads.

Today, Richard Basden's men take on Warwick in the Western Counties final before turning their attention to St. David's and the Premier Knockout crescendo tomorrow.

Victory in either - or daresay both - of these competitions would be a huge fillip ahead of their September 20 make-up match versus Cleveland which will decide if Cuts are axed from the Premier League.

The disparity between their form in League matches and in other competitions is not at all lost on the West End club and they are determined to prove that reaching two major finals this weekend was no fluke.

Their assignment begins at 10 a.m. today at White Hill Field where Warwick will be aiming to halt Cuts' impressive winning streak in the Counties tournament. The champions knocked off last year's winners Somerset Bridge, Southampton Rangers and PHC in a hat-trick of success and now have one more hurdle to overcome.

Despite some challenges, Basden believes they can do it.

"We are looking forward to both games. We have done the hard work in the Counties, securing the trophy in the last three rounds. We have fought hard and spent a lot of energy but the last match is always the hardest.

"Once we continue playing well we should win but Warwick will be looking to wrest the trophy from us and with the leadership of (coach/player) Allan Douglas Sr they will make things tough."

Missing from Cuts line-up will be wicket-keeper/batsman Michael Corday and batsman Reggie Tucker Jr (also vice-captain) who are both overseas. They will likely be replaced by Cordell (Shabba) Gilbert and Howard Darrell while opening batsman Dwight Basden will be the relief gloveman. As usual, the guest players are Wendell White and Jacobi Robinson.

Douglas also rued the absence of several key Warwick players such as Johnny Ball, Robert and Lamar Richardson, Jade Darrell and his son, Allan Douglas Jr. Captain Dion Stovell - who like Douglas Jr was playing in the West Indies Under-19 Challenge in Guyana - was expected back in time for the clash.

"We're in a peculiar position because many of our players are away. All these guys were playing regularly all season. It's really put us in a dilemma," he said, adding that guest players Clarkie Trott and Mark (Beaver) Ray should bolster their ranks.

"Hopefully they can help stabilise things with the rest of the team. With Stovell returning and Lamar Caines, Kion Butterfield and Stephen Bremer Jr, I am I looking for them to carry the brunt of things."

Asked if he will be playing too, the veteran chuckled and replied: "The old horse will be there."

Douglas believes Warwick's best chance resides in taking first knock and that is what they hope to do.

"We believe in batting. We bat first anytime and that makes sense because once you make 230 or above at White Hill you beat most teams.

"It's a matter of making 250 runs then we should be able to contend with anyone. Our bowling strength is good with Lamar, Clarkie, Kion and Beaver."

Basden does not expect White Hill Field or Wellington Oval - which hosts the Knockout showdown - to bear any demons.

"We've had some rain but the pitch never concerns me. White Hill has been a pretty good pitch this season and has produced some good cricket.

"Wellington Oval has not been used much but judging from what we saw in Cup Match there should be a lot of runs in the wicket."

The Cuts leader acknowledged tomorrow's task against St. David's will be all tougher given their exploits today. In addition to the back-to-back games, there is also the sobering reality that they have not gotten the better of St. David's in ages.

"If will be very hard against St. David's but if we want to win we have to show up ready to play. We have not beaten them in quite some time and it's overdue.

"We will get some rest and maybe we can surprise a few people. We're not going to just settle for being in the final. We're looking to win," declared Basden.

On the opposite side, Clay Smith, is equally confident that the Knockout trophy is on its way to Lord's - but he cautioned against complacency.

"We have to be really focused and not take Willow Cuts for granted. Personally, I would have preferred Rangers because I know my players' intensity level would have been higher.

"My job is to keep my team focused and not let them get too comfortable knowing that we are playing Willow Cuts. A lot of times players can get over-confident and that could be our downfall.

"Our team has come on strong over the last month. We are going from strength to strength and this would be a good tune-up for us leading into the Eastern Counties final against Bailey's Bay. We feel we have a good enough team to win it on the day," said Smith.

The possible return of explosive opener Glenn Blakeney and fast bowler Mackie Crane should make St. David's line-up all the more potent. Smith is also looking for the faith he has invested in young players to pay dividends.

"They have matured tremendously and they will be up for this one," noted the skipper.

In the First Division, Devonshire are aiming to put some icing on their promotion to the Premier League by wresting the First Division Knockout title from newcomers IFP LegTrappers tomorrow at Southampton Oval.

"It's cricket and you have to come with the right frame of mind to win. Anything is possible. They might have their best game against us.

"We are geared up to play. It's a cup and anytime you play for a cup it's something to look forward to," said Devonshire captain Winston Trott.

Despite this guarded optimism, Trott's team start as favourites to win the match, having defeated their rivals twice this season.

The Junior Eastern Counties competition also climaxes today with Flatts meeting Cleveland at Lord's.

The youngsters are not only vying for the title but also for the right to attend West Indies skipper Brian Lara's coaching clinic next Sunday at the National Sports Centre.