St. George's Cricket Club last night stood firmly behind their decision to ban three top players from this year's Cup Match -- refusing to bow to the demands of a petition calling for their reinstatement.

The petition, containing the names of about 25 club members, including eight players challenging for places in next week's team, was handed in to club president Mansfield Smith yesterday morning. It called for the players to be reinstated after the club had ruled them ineligible for the classic because of failure to pay their club dues on time.

But any hopes that Dean Minors, Lionel Cann and Dale Fox would be given a reprieve were quashed last night when Smith met with club executives to discuss the matter.

After the meeting, the president confirmed that the players would not be reinstated.

"There just isn't sufficient time to react to the petition,'' said Smith.

"The rules call for the membership to be given a 14-day notice for a special meeting and the petition was just handed to us. A notice has consequently been put on our notice board for a meeting to be called on August 10, and that's that,'' said Smith.

It now remains to be seen whether members will bother to pursue the matter once Cup Match is over.

Smith had always felt that the club's initial decision would stand. "I got the petition this morning but it was a bit late, people have to realise how things work,'' he said.

He noted that those members rankled by the club's decision had only themselves to blame, pointing out that they were informed of the club's action on July 17 and therefore had sufficient time to get a petition together then.

"You simply can't wait two days before the final game, and long beyond the deadline, to take action like they have,'' added Smith.

With no further meeting scheduled prior to the team selection late tomorrow, St. George's are now anxious to put the dispute behind them and concentrate on hosting the match next week.

Top batsman Clay Smith, son of the president, circulated the petition among players and was hopeful of a positive development earlier in the day.

"Right now we just have to wait and see what happens after they meet,'' said Clay early yesterday. "Most of the league players have signed the petition and definitely would like to have the three players included in Saturday's final trial.'' At the West End, challengers Somerset are focused on nothing but tomorrow's final trial game which starts at 10 a.m. Cup Match skipper Dexter Basden will lead the President's XI while Shannon Warner will captain the Vice President's XI.

President's XI: Dexter Basden (capt), Albert Steede, Andre Manders, Jeff Richardson, Richard Basden, Roger Trott, Kevin Fubler, Hasan Durham, Chris Caisey, Roger Blades, Rodney Fubler, Curtis Lee, Shaun Roberts.

Vice President's XI: Shannon Warner (capt), Ricky Hill, Olin Jones, Curtis Jackson, Andre Hendrickson, Reid Jones, Johnny Richardson, Del Hollis, Quinton Burch, Stephen Brown, Allan Brangman, Cordell Gilbert, Tony Cheeseman.