The league championship race in cricket's First Division continues to heat up. And at present, just who from Devonshire Recreation Club, Flatts and Bailey's Bay will win the title and earn promotion is anybody's guess.

Prior to the start of the season, Flatts and Bay were heavily favoured to make speedy returns to the top flight, however, Devonshire have also thrown their hat into the ring to keep things very interesting at the summit.

Flatts are coming off two convincing wins over IFP LegTrappers and perennial whopping boys Social Club, who also received a ten-wicket thrashing at the hands of Bay on Sunday.

Devonshire, meanwhile, suffered a shock loss - their second of the season - against Warwick on their home turf last weekend, hardly the desired result ahead of Saturday's Central Counties final clash with champions Western Stars at St.John's Field.

Coincidentally, Bay, Flatts and Devonshire have all lost a match playing against each other which only adds to the suspense as the league season heads towards a climax. Flatts defeated Bay by virtue of a superior run rate last month while Devonshire in turn handed the former club a narrow eight run loss at Devonshire Rec.

Bay will now meet Flatts on July 6 at Sea Breeze Oval and Devonshire on July 27 in crucial matches that will have a significant say on just who will bask in glory come the end of the season.

"If we can beat Bay and Devonshire then we should pretty much be able to breeze through," said an optimistic Phillip Burgess of Flatts yesterday.

"We feel very confident at the moment, although we haven't been able to acquire maximum batting points lately. My team is very confident that we can rise to the upcoming challenge. It's a matter of taking it one game at a time."

Burgess singled out hard-hitting batsman James Celestine, skipper Derek Wright, Chris Caisey and veteran player Lloyd Fray as four of the team's players who have played central roles thus far in their success.

And what's even more pleasing for Flatts is that their league title drive could receive a tremendous boost with the long awaited arrival of player/coach Gary Brangman. The former Stars and St.George's medium pacer is expected to deliver the goods with the new ball along with young Nelson Bascome Jr.

"Gary may be back in time for those important games and we feel very confident and should be very strong this season," added Burgess.

Meanwhile, Bay coach Ricky Hill also reckons his side will be up for next week's all-important clash against Flatts and also Devonshire.

"I have all of the confidence that Bay will be amongst one of the teams that will be going up," he boldly declared. "Flatts did manage to win the first game due to what I would call unusual circumstances. But nonetheless, the Bermuda Cricket Board awarded the points to them which was fair enough - but we do have a second stab at them and we will be looking to avenge that loss."

Bay are the reigning Eastern Counties champions and will open the defence of their crown against Cleveland on July 18 at Lord's - this year's venue for the ever-popular summer series.