Determined to win back the Cup Match trophy when the annual classic is held on their home turf later this summer, St. George's will launch their preparations tonight with a meeting for prospective players.

Chairman of selectors, Lewis Foggo, said that the meeting at the club at 7.30 this evening would enable all those involved to get their programme off the ground in earnest with the ultimate aim to exact their revenge over Somerset who celebrated last year's 100th anniversary of Cup Match with a memorable four-wicket victory in the west end.

His call went out to all players who intend to battle for a place in this year's team, urging current team members and any others wishing to be involved in the trial matches to report to the meeting on time.

The message being put out is clear - anyone who misses the occasion also faces the prospect of being excluded from all trials and subsequently the big match itself.

"What we are doing tomorrow night (tonight) is actually something that we do all of the time," said Foggo, who has replaced Gladwin Paynter as chief of the selection committee.

"We are bringing the players together for various reasons, to create a little vibe, to let them know what is expected of them, to advise them that their dues must be paid in full on time and to generally chat about where we are going with Cup Match this year."

He noted that the club had no real concern at this stage with the first trial game fast approaching, and his confidence in this area suggested he was satisfied that the east enders would have a capable pool of players from which to select a formidable team.

"No, there is no concern at the club at all, we just want to get together and get the ball rolling," he assured.

Meanwhile, there has been a noticeable shortage of umpires already this season in both Premier and First Division matches.

But Foggo, who has been playing again this season for St. George's, is not overly concerned about the problem . . . nor St. David's player-coach Clay Smith whose team have lost three of their five matches.

"We have had one game with one umpire, but it's no real concern to us right now. I know there is a current shortage, but I would rather have one decent umpire than a poor one," said Foggo.

Smith, whose team lost a vital match to Southampton Rangers on Sunday, felt likewise. "I have no opinion right now, I have had umpires every game and I can't complain," said the Cup Match batsman.