This year was supposed to be for rebuilding. But as the 2003 cricket league season approaches its climax with as many as four teams still capable of winning the title, St.George's find themselves in the thick of the championship race.

On Sunday they made a bold statement by bundling out the big bats of leaders Southampton for a paltry 89 runs - Rangers' lowest score for many years.

It's been five years since St.George's last won the Premier Division title, though they've managed to consistently place in the top four.

"Our goal at the beginning of the season was basically to rebuild. But if we are able to compete then we are going to go the entire nine yards. And at present we are very pleased with our performances, taking into account that a couple of players have still not delivered with the bat," commented St.George's Cup Match chairman of selectors Lewis Foggo, who kept tidily behind the stumps during Sunday's inspiring win.

"I'm grateful for where we have come and for where are standing right now because a lot of our batsmen haven't been in good nick lately. We are still just jogging along. It's unfortunate because at the moment some of the guys are just getting hard outs," he added.

St.George's have been able to blend a mixture of youth and experience that has provided a winning combination.

"I feel that with the experience and the youth that we have . . . we have one of the best bowling attacks in the Island," said Foggo. "So regardless of whatever runs we make we always feel that we are still in the game," something Rangers learned the hard way as Herbie Bascome and Gregg Foggo ripped through their batting order on Sunday.

"After we got knocked down yesterday (Sunday) . . . in the changing room we said that we were going to come back out and win this game because we know what type of bowling attack we have and we used the grassy strip that Rangers have to our advantage," said Foggo.

This season has seen the return of Eugene (Calabash) Foggo along with Lewis while Charlie Marshall also appears to be enjoying his cricket, though he's yet to make one of the bigger scores for which he's become renowned.

The club's future appears bright as youngsters Oronde Bascome, Freddie Hall Jr, Detroy Smith, Keevan Foggo along with 14-year-old left-arm leg break spinner Jade' Foggo continue to improve in leaps and bounds.

Troy Hall also appears to have taken his game more seriously during this campaign.

"Troy is getting more out of his cricket because he has put more in," Foggo noted. "He's been training more and his true ability is really beginning to show because he's putting more into it. Oronde and Detroy have also been putting in the extra effort - and they are not only batsmen, they can also bowl seam."

Foggo praised Herbie Bascome for the time and effort he's been putting into coaching the club's various youth teams.

The veteran wicketkeeper also hoped to see Mark (Beaver) Ray return to the fold over the next few weeks. Ray has been absent so far this season largely due to work commitments.

Meanwhile, the vice president's XI defeated the president's XI by 61 runs during St.George's' first Cup Match trial at Lord's on Saturday.

Young Oronde Bascome and James Celestine scored 42 and 44 respectively as the vice-president's select compiled 185 all out in 48.5 overs.

Charles Richardson proved to be the president's XI's best bowler. Richardson returned impressive figures of four for 33 while spinner Travis Smith took three for 39.

In reply, skipper Charlie Marshall stroked 31 runs and Ricardo Brangman 20 to top their team's batting as the president's XI were dismissed for 124.

Gregg Foggo, Wilbur Burt, Delyone Borden and Allan Douglas each grabbed two wickets.

St.George's' June 29 league match against St.David's has been rescheduled for July 5 at Lord's. This Saturday will see the east enders stage another Cup Match trial at Lord's.