Western Stars' bid for glory in the Combined Knockout Cup could depend on whether Willow Cuts' team consists of Dr. Jeckyls or Mr. Hydes, according to Stars' captain Albert Steede.

Stars, whose hopes of capturing the Camel Cup last weekend were scuppered by the weather, take on Cuts at St. John's Field today.

"We definitely don't take any team lightly," said Steede. "Willow Cuts are a very unpredictable team.

"Sometimes they play as though they are a first class team and on other days they play as if they have never played the game before!

"But we can't take them lightly because you just never know on the day which team is going to be present on the field."

Meanwhile, in the sole all Premier Division Knockout tie, Southampton Rangers travel east to Sea Breeze Oval where Bailey's Bay await their arrival.

After succumbing to the Duckworth/Lewis scoring system during last weekend's Camel Cup semifinal to Stars, Rangers' coach Clevie Wade remains cautiously optimistic his team will turn their fortunes around.

"Bay are a very good team," said Wade. "They are also one of the contenders in this league. We will be going at them at full force and I know that they will be coming at us at full force, so on the day whoever wants it the most will be successful."

In the remaining Knockout matches, league champions St.David's take on Somerset Bridge at Lord's, while Warwick and Devonshire Rec. will do battle at Southampton Oval.

With the temporary withdrawal of the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control Development Team, Somerset Cricket Club enjoy a first round bye, while St.George's should find the going easy against Social Club at Wellington Oval.

Police tackle Cleveland at Police Field, while PHC and Flatts are poised for yet another interesting match-up at White Hill Field.

During tomorrow's opening day to the 2002 league campaign, Rangers have been given the right of having the first crack at last year's champions St.David's at Southampton Oval.

Islander's manager Delby Borden is confident his `mixed' squad can pick up where they left off last season - on a winning note!

"We have a good all-round team," said Borden. "We have the youth mixed in with the senior players.

"At the moment we are still having problems getting some of our senior players fit, but our youngsters are ready to go."

Borden also added that veteran Wendell Smith, Dean Minors and the fiery Glenn Blakeney all looked good in the nets this week, while Mackie Crane, Loren Marshall, George O'Brien Jr, Delyone Borden and Del Hollis are expected to lead the Islander's bowling attack.

Lionel Cann remains sidelined with an injury and is expected to seek medical advice.

Stars should also have their hands full of Bailey's Bay tomorrow at St.John's Field in their opening league fixture, while St.George's and Cleveland square off at Wellington Oval.

Somerset finally get to kick off their season at Sea Breeze Oval against hosts Flatts.

In the First Division, Devonshire and Warwick battle for the second time in as many days at Devonshire Rec, while Willow Cuts and PHC clash at Somerset Cricket Club.

Somerset Bridge have an appetising fixture at White Hill Field against Social Club, while Police now have a bye with the unavailability of the BCBC Development team.

All matches are 50 over contests and begin at noon.

Club cricket scorers are asked to leave a contact number with the Royal Gazette sportsdesk so that scoreboards can be published in subsequent editions. Call Colin Thompson on 278-0143 or Colin Zuill on 278-0144.

Bermuda Cricket Board of Control is asking all cricket clubs and schools to recommend five players to train for possible selection for the Bermuda National Under-13 squad that will be representing the Island in a tournament in the US in July. All names should be forwarded by Wednesday, May 15.

The Board is also looking for a coach to assist in the preparation of this team.