Given a brief glimpse of things to come this summer, of the four Camel Cup contestants last weekend, St.David's, Western Stars and Southampton Rangers all looked solid, thus affirming themselves as leading contenders for top honours this season.

Western Stars just managed to get by Southampton during Saturday's rain-affected Camel Cup semifinal, but showed great resolve and patience in the face of adversity to reserve themselves the right for a rematch against last year's Camel Cup champions St.David's.

Once again skipper Albert Steede led from the front, sticking around the crease and anchoring the innings en route to a match saving 95.

Opener Jermaine Postlewaite also gave an early indication of things to come with a brutal assault on Rangers' opening bowling pair of Gary Williams and Kenny Phillips, before he went for one too many and was caught out for a brisk 35.

And with Saleem Mukadem, Dwayne `Sluggo' Leverock, Hasan Durham, Kevin Hurdle, Cleon Scotland and Arnold Manders still to hit top stride, Stars' will definitely be looking to shine brighter this summer.

Reigning league champions St. David's, likewise, proved last weekend that they too have tremendous depth.

Despite the absences of Dean Minors, player/coach Clay Smith, Lionel Cann, Del Hollis and Dale Fox, the east enders proved to be a bit too much for St.George's in the other Camel Cup semifinal.

And with OJ Pitcher and Chris Foggo both due to depart for the UK soon, the Islanders will once again have to tap into their rich reservoir of youngsters to fill the voids.

However, despite the change, St.David's should still be a dominating force with the likes of Wendell Smith, Mackie Crane and Glenn Blakeney hanging around the clubhouse.

Up at Southampton Oval, Southampton Rangers have all the ingredients for success.

With Kenny Phillips and Ricky Brangman added to the fold, skipper Janeiro Tucker and Co. are now a sure bet to be among the leading contenders this summer - despite being bundled out of the Camel Cup last weekend.

Meanwhile, St. George's Cricket Club appear to be entering a rebuilding stage as they opted to use several of their promising youngsters for their Camel Cup semifinal meeting with St.David's.

With new skipper Graham Fox and Herbie Bascome off the Island for that match, veterans Charlie Marshall, Gary Brangman and Sinclair Gibbons tried to take up the slack, but just couldn't find an answer against their neighbouring rivals.

However, when they return to full strength with the reported returns of David Adams and Eugene Foggo along with Bascome and Fox, things should be a whole lot different down at Wellington Oval.

Cleveland County find themselves among the big boys this summer.

Although enduring a relatively quite campaign last season, the Harris Bay side will once again be looking to make a good impression in the Super Eight and possibly springing a surprise in the Eastern Counties and knockout competitions.

Meanwhile, Somerset Cricket Club have just returned from a tour of Barbados and should be already geared for the season - with or without skipper Wendell White - who still has some unfinished business to settle with the BCBC.

Although Somerset have not been considered as a heavyweight on the local scene for some time now, they do possess a bit of talent, and can be competitive on any given day.

While young Jacobi Robinson continues to mature steadily into a good all-round player, with veterans like Curtis Jackson, Sheridan Ming, Shawn Roberts, Dwayne Basden, Reid Jones and White around, you can never count them out.

Flatts, meanwhile, have lost two of their better players in the form of Kevin Hurdle and Nakia Smith.

But vice-captain Phillip Burgess still feels that, despite the departures of two of his stalwarts, his team will be competitive and, like their Harris Bay counterparts, will also be looking to wrestle the Eastern Counties crown away from St.David's and have a good showing in the league and knockout competitions.

Bailey's Bay, meanwhile, will be looking for better things this summer.

With young Stephen Outerbridge set to leave the team for Grenada, skipper Corey Hill, Irving Romaine, Ricky Hill, Jermaine Warner, Anthony Braithwaite and Dennis Pilgrim will all be heavily relied upon to bring home the goods.

Bay will play host to this summer's Eastern Counties and with their seasoned veterans in full flow, could also pose a threat in the league and knockout competitions.