The club has over the years produced some of the most talented players in Bermuda without ever fully reaching its full potential.

But now that could finally change as the 1998 Knockout Cup winners go into the new season with a strengthened squad.

With some of the best youngsters in the league, the arrival of coach and captain Clay Smith, and the return of Lionel Cann and Dale Fox, St. David's will be looking to build on last season's success.

"Our goal is to finish in the top four, definitely, retain the Eastern Counties and give the Knockout Cup another good run,'' said cricket chairman Delby Borden, careful not to put too many high expectations on his new-look team.

"We've got a more balanced team now, players like OJ Pitcher, Chris Foggo and Landro Minors who have matured. We're not one of the better teams, a Western Stars or a Willow Cuts, but I think we're going to cause some problems.

"It's not going to be a team that's going to be knocked down cheaply.'' Emphasis over the last few years has been placed on the up and coming youngsters, and that policy is bearing fruit as teenagers like Foggo, Minors and Pitcher, Angelo Cannonier, Shannon Raynor, Arthur Pitcher Jr and Aaron Burchall make quick progress.

Combine that with senior players like Allen Richardson, Graham Fox, Del Hollis and Shea Pitcher along with this year's vice-captain Sammy Robinson, Kameron Fox and Rudell Pitcher and the blend appears impressive.

"It's going to be interesting even to pick our team,'' Borden predicted.

"What we did last year ...s we had four youngsters who played every game and then we picked the rest of the team around them. We didn't put pressure on them to do well.

"It's going to be a similar thing this year and we'll make the senior players fight hard for their positions. Angelo (son of former player George Cannonier) is looking good and he will probably be a regular. Arthur Pitcher's son, Arthur Jr. is a good seam bowler and will see some action.

"If the youngsters are training hard and showing interest then we'll definitely go with them.'' St. David's face a tough opener against Overs champions Bailey's Bay on May 2 before they begin the defence of their Knockout title against St. George's on May 23, by which time they hope to have captain Clay Smith back from school abroad.

Opening batsman Chris Foggo, Bermuda's top player during the 1997 International Youth Tournament here, is also away and will miss the start of the season.

"The thing I notice about our programme is we usually start off slow but this year the youngsters are already starting to pick it up, I guess because of the success we had last year,'' explained Borden.

"If we can get a good start in the first three games then down the line when we're at full strength we should be okay. It's going to take a little while to gel.

"We have Lionel coming back and he's going to be an asset to our team in batting, bowling and fielding and we have Clay who is going to end up doing a lot of bowling as well.'' Borden admitted that picking up Smith, last season's top batsman, would be a tremendous boost.

"I think when you bring in a new face it always gets the players' attention,'' said Borden.

Interestingly, Smith is a former St. George's captain while Herbie Bascome, his replacement, is a past St. David's captain. And as such there should be plenty of fireworks when the teams meet next month in what will be a repeat of last year's Knockout final which saw the scores finish level before St.

David's were awarded the win by losing fewer wickets.

Richardson, the most senior player in the St. David's team, has seen some battles over the years and is looking forward to not only that clash but the entire season. A couple of years ago he was contemplating retirement, but now is approaching the campaign with new enthusiasm.

"With Clay and Lionel over here I'm really looking forward to having a good go with those guys, plus they still want me to play,'' said Richardson, who has vowed not to announce another retirement.

"I won't announce that again, I'll just stop automatically.'' Richardson believes St. David's will be one of the teams to watch this season.

"If we play up to our potential we'll definitely be in the top four, and that's exciting,'' he says.

"We're trying to bring back the glory days and with the young guys having one or two full seasons under their belts we're looking to them to carry the load as well.''