Additional batting and bowling bonus points may well determine who walks away with the 2002 Premier Division League title today at St.John's Field when Western Stars and Southampton lock horns for the coveted championship.

While an outright win would virtually assure Stars of a second championship in three seasons, both sides will certainly be keeping an eye on how many bonus points are being accumulated during the match - both by themselves and by their opponents.

This year's new Bermuda Cricket Board of Control (BCBC) format awards teams six points for a win, and three points for a tie. However, a team which loses does not necessarily leave the ground empty-handed.

The format awards extra points in the following manner:

Bowling - One point for three wickets; another point for five wickets; a third point for seven wickets and a maximum of five points in total for dismissing the opposition.

Batting - One point for the first 125 runs on the board and then a point for every 25 runs up to 200 runs. A team scoring 250 or more runs receives the maximum of five points.

This system could therefore throw up many scenarios during today's contest as Stars are just six points ahead of Southampton who have 161 points.

"We have a lot of experienced players and we know what the task is at hand," said Southampton player/coach Clevie Wade.

"It's not going to be easy. Guys will have to step up to plate and be ready to battle."

Stars, on the other hand, can clinch their fourth title of the season today, having added the Champion of Champions crown last weekend to an already impressive collection of Central Counties and Combined KO Cup championships.

In another match of interests today at Somerset Cricket Club, Willow Cuts can inch closer to clinching the sole remaining First Division promotion spot, but first they will have to get the better of newly crowned champions PHC.

Tomorrow, Premier Division KO Cup semifinals take centre stage, with St. David's and Southampton set to do battle at Lord's, while Stars and Cleveland clash at Sea Breeze Oval.

In the First Division KO Cup semifinals, PHC will tackle an unpredictable Police unit at Police Field, while Devonshire and Social Club meet at Devonshire Rec. Field. All matches begin at 11 a.m.

At Wellington Oval, legendary West Indian fast bowler Courtney Walsh will be in action representing a West Indies Select XI against a St.George's select in a match commemorating the West Indian Association's 25th anniversary.