St. David's stuck to their guns last night and axed star spinner Del Hollis from their Eastern Counties Cup final line-up, adamant that they could defeat Bailey's Bay without him.

Hollis, who played in the two previous rounds, failed in an 11th hour bid to have a two-game ban - imposed for a breach of club regulations - lifted in order to make him eligible for the game at Sea Breeze Oval tomorrow.

In his absence St. David's have included a former club player as a guest, left-arm spinner Kameron Fox, who left to join St. George's two seasons ago.

The club has made four changes to the team that beat Flatts by 87 runs on August 17, bringing in Fox, Albert Steede, Chris Foggo and O.J. Pitcher. Dropped, in addition to Hollis, were Phillip Pitcher, Fiqre Crockwell and Allen Richardson.

“We have a team strong enough to win, we want to win and not draw,” said skipper Clay Smith last night. “It's a well balanced team, one good enough to go to Sea Breeze Oval and retain the trophy.”

However, as has been the case this week when news of the Hollis suspension came to light, team officials were not too anxious to discuss the reasons behind his ban.

“You need to talk to the powers that be about Del. All I can say is that we have brought in Kameron, he's had a good season and I am happy about the selection,'' said Smith when pushed.

St. David's sports chairman Delby Borden revealed a little more about the affair, saying it involved a view Hollis expressed about guest players which was against the club's policy.

“Del's appeal was turned down and he wasn't eligible to play. The incident, well I can't say too much, but it was about the club policy on guest players, that's all I can say,'' he said last night.

“We have made a few changes, we are going out for a win and not a draw. Unfortunately we couldn't use Del and the next best spinner we have is Kameron.

“He has had a pretty good season with St. George's and we feel he is a very capable replacement.''

While St. David's have four guest players in their line-up, Bailey's Bay have included just one in former skipper and club stalwart Charlie Marshall of St. George's. They have also named three colts.

St. David's: Clay Smith (capt), Lionel Cann (vice capt), Albert Steede, Chris Foggo, O.J.Pitcher, Delyone Borden, Sammy Robinson, Herbie Bascome, Greg Foggo, George O'Brien, Kameron Fox. Res: Fiqre Crockwell, Lorin Marshall.

Bailey's Bay: Irving Romaine (capt), Dennis Pilgrim (vice capt), Dennis Trott, Stephen Outerbridge, Jermaine Outerbridge, Jermaine Warner, Corey Hill, Roderick Masters (colt), Rodney Trott (colt), Burton Outerbridge (colt), Charlie Marshall. Reserves: Tywan Burgess, Allan Walker.