St. David's' bid to close the four-point gap which divides them from leaders Social Club in the race for the Premier Division title has received a boost from the return of their national team contingent.

Player-coach Lionel Cann and pace bowlers George O'Brien and Arthur Pitcher Jr. rejoin their ranks after Bermuda's European tour as the eastenders prepare for their home game against second-from-bottom Cleveland.

Now that they have a full complement of players there are expectations that St. David's will offer league leaders Social Club a spirited challenge for the championship.

Last Sunday, St. David's received a boost when they handed fourth-place Somerset CC a five-wicket defeat and it's unlikely that lowly Cleveland will be able to cause an upset at Lords even though player-coach Clay Smith and skipper Jason Simons batted well against Somerset.

Chris Foggo has been the main run producer for St. David's in recent weeks with a string of half centuries but last week his knock of 42 was second to the game high 82 not out struck by Chris Pitcher off the Somerset bowlers.

However, it remains to be seen who can halt Social Club in their race towards the title. Last week Cleveland failed, losing to the leaders by five wickets and tomorow it will be Somerset's opportunity to cause them to stumble in a clash at Devonshire Rec.

The victory over Cleveland was spearheaded by Glenn Blakeney who struck 54 while veteran Charlie Marshall continued to be among the runs with a splendid 43 not out. Jamiko Marshall was their bowling hero with four wickets for 32.

With both Social Club and St. David's favoured to maintain their positions at the top of the table, third-place St. George's will be hard pressed to brush aside defending champions Southampton Rangers at Wellington Oval.

Although the visitors are holding down sixth place they are just two points behind their hosts and Rangers' player-coach Janeiro Tucker, scorer of a ton against Western Stars on Sunday, has made it clear that with the league title seemingly out of their reach, it still is their intention to finish among the top four.

After scoring 300-8 and dismissing Stars for 206, Rangers are expected to come away from the east end with maximum points even though St. George's also gave a formidable batting display by scoring 331-6 against Flatts (230) last Sunday.

The other contest has Western Stars entertaining Flatts in a match-up that could produce one of the closest contests of the day.

In First Division play, the top fixture is at Sea Breeze Oval where second-place Leg Trappers take on fourth-place Bailey's Bay while league-leading Police meet second-from-bottom PHC at White Hill. In other games last place Warwick entertain Devonshire Rec. at Southampton Oval and Willow Cuts host Somerset Bridge at Somerset CC.