St. George's president Mansfield Smith is convinced there will be a winner in next week's 96th Cup Match.

As head groundsman, Smith is preparing a wicket that he believes will produce a result as St.George's aim to quickly regain the cup they lost last year in Somerset.

"If the weather holds up there will definitely be a result,'' assured Smith this week. "That's the way the wicket is going to be prepared.

"The wicket is going to be the way we want it to be. It's going to favour the bowling. It's going to be a complete contrast to what it's been in recent years.'' If St.George's should win this year, it would be the first time in almost three decades that they had managed a home victory.

Their last win on home soil came in 1969, two years before turf wickets were introduced in Cup Match. That was a good period for the East Enders who won six straight years -- 1964, '65, '66, '67, '68 and '69.

But home success has been difficult to achieve since then and no doubt Somerset will be equally determined not to lose the title after just one year.

Victory for St.George's this year will hinge on the make-up of their team, which will contain at least three changes from last year.

Former captains Wendell Smith and Clevie Wade are certain to be missing, both having been absent from league play this season. Another omission for the final trial match tomorrow is bowler Clarkie Trott whose overthrow for four sealed a dramatic victory for Somerset on the last over a year ago.

Trott has not appeared regularly for Bailey's Bay this season because of work commitments and his absence tomorrow means that there will definitely be a bowling spot open.

Plenty of players will be aiming to fill that void with Herbie Bascome, Kenny Phillip, Anthony Braithwaite, Gary Brangman all battling for one of the two opening bowlers' spots. Bascome would appear to have the inside track while his brother-in-law Gregg Foggo, who made his debut last year, is under pressure to hold onto his place.

Unlike in previous years when St. George's have put much of the emphasis on their batting, this year they need to pick a team capable of dismissing their opponents twice.

That has set up some interesting possibilities with veterans Noel Gibbons and Arnold Manders asked to make themselves available. Both are included in the final trial match.

Either could fit into the all-rounder's spot being vacated by Clevie Wade, while another player contending that place is Mark (Beaver) Ray who is playing in the league for St. George's this season.

Manders, Eugene Foggo and David Adams would appear to have the edge in the spin bowling department, but it is at the top of the batting order where some surprises may occur.

Glenn Blakeney opened the batting with Wendell Smith last year, scoring 20 and 40 but more stability may be needed at the top of the order in the absence of Smith, with Blakeney dropping down to three or four.

"It could be `Calabash' (Eugene Foggo) and somebody else,'' said Smith. "He (Foggo) can bat one to 11, wherever the demand is. Where he bats will depend on the situation.'' Dexter Smith, dropped last year, could earn a recall to open the batting while also pushing for a place are club player Jason Lewis and Dennis Archer of Police.

"I think it's going to be very difficult to get the attack and opening bats sorted out,'' said Smith, himself a former selector. "If I was a selector I think I would have to wait until the last game to decide.''