have to prove they can again answer the bell after a successful season last year.

And the first obstacle they have to overcome is the loss of Roger Trott for tomorrow's semifinal against Bailey's Bay at St. John's field.

Trott has been one of their most reliable performers since the middle of last season, his stock rising tremendously after a match-saving innings of 93 not out to procure a one-wicket Open League win over Southampton Rangers two weeks ago.

But, because of his religion, the former Somerset Cup Match and Bailey's Bay star will sit out tomorrow and hope that his side can reach Sunday's final at Lord's in St. David's against the winners of Western Stars and Police.

"Roger will be a miss because he has been in good form,'' said Devonshire skipper Anthony Amory. "There is a void at the front of the order and that's a main concern because with them we have to have the best start we can get.

Roger and Donald (Norford) have been giving us that.'' Devonshire will choose between veteran Lloyd Morrison and utility player Lloyd Smith for the crucial position, which sets up the Island's most dominant 3-4 combination of Albert Steede and Amory.

Devonshire, who won the Camel Cup for the first time last year after an epic final with Western Stars, have unhappy memories of recent limited-overs contests against Bay.

The Sea Breeze Oval boys beat them handily in last year's Open Knockout final and were their undoing in an earlier round of the same competition the previous season.

"Bay's bowling attack has always been a concern,'' said Amory. "They are all good bowlers, but on past occasions when we have lost the weather has played a part; they (the losses) have been in conditions for swing bowlers. I hope the sun will be out on Saturday.'' The strength of Bailey's Bay clearly lies with their front-line bowling attack of Anthony Braithwaite, Clarkie Trott, Noel Gibbons and Ricky Hodsoll, in his second season from St. George's.

Add to that the promise of youth internationals Jermaine Outerbridge and Dennis Pilgrim, and skipper Chris Smith has every reason to feel confident against Devonshire's vaunted batting line-up on what should be a green top at St. John's field.

"Anthony Braithwaite and Clarkie Trott are in top form,'' said Smith. "Ricky Hodsoll is on the money and Noel is in the best shape he's ever been in. He's really bowling well.'' Trott was Bay's chief weapon in the cup final win over Devonshire, claiming six for 15 from nine overs as the favourites were skittled out for a season-low 117. Young Pilgrim took the major scalps of Steede and Amory.

"I have to admit that it was a hazy day,'' said Bay skipper Smith, "but both teams had to bat on that wicket and we managed to pull the (four-wicket) victory off.'' Though Devonshire have been tabbed as favourites in some circles, Bay come into the match with the better balance. They have excelled with both the bat and ball while Rec. needed a wake-up call against Southampton.

"We could have batted better,'' said Amory of his side losing nine wickets chasing 145. "As the day went on the wicket at the Rec. deteriorated, so the team batting second found it difficult.

"Players who were looking to drive the ball that was well pitched up needed to play defensive shots because it always stayed low. We didn't adjust to the wicket and just kept on playing shots.'' The next week, Devonshire bruised egos had to travel to Somerset to bat on a pitch that the previous day had given the Cup Match team and Bermuda national squad fits. They made 268 for five declared in 220 minutes in a tame draw with Albert Steede making 123 not out.

"At Somerset, all it required was application. It showed that if you hang in there, batting becomes easier. What we did on Sunday was buckle down, we had to rebound from the Rangers game.'' Said Bay's Smith: "If anything the odds favour us. They haven't done so well against our attack in recent games. Devonshire are very strong opposition and we respect them just like they respect us.'' While Bay's `Fab Four' have shared the bowling spoils, Devonshire have not been able to rely on national team pacer Anthony Edwards for the wickets he once picked up regularly.

"We are trying to instil into Pacer (Edwards) to keep the runs down because he is not getting the wickets,'' said Amory. "He has become frustrated and it is starting to show in the field.'' Instead, Devonshire have had success from an unlikely source, Leon Place, who has taken eight wickets in his last two matches, including five for 16 in the win over Rangers.

"Place is our best bowler right now,'' added Amory. "He is bowling at a line and length, pitching it right there and giving the batsmen no opportunities to make runs.

"The rest of the bowlers are struggling to find the form that Place has got.'' Bay's bowling performances have overshadowed the quality in their batting line-up. Charlie Marshall and Glenn Smith are off to a flying starts after returning from St. George's and Hamilton Parish respectively while 37-year-old Noel Gibbons' passion for the game is keeping him amongst the elite.

"I haven't been doing too well with the bat,'' said Smith, who will open the innings with Richard Foggo. "I hope I can break that on Saturday. Otherwise, everyone else is doing well. We haven't been tested yet but we're ready for it.'' IN FORM -- Clarkie Trott took six for 15 from nine overs in Bay's cup final victory over Devonshire.