in one of two semifinal games tomorrow at Sea Breeze Oval (noon) it is anyone's guess who will emerge victorious.

One thing for certain is that a new champion will be crowned on Sunday at Lord's on Sunday with Devonshire Rec. failing to qualify this year.

St. George's acting skipper Graham Fox, deputising for the injured Wendell Smith from the start of the season, goes into the semifinal confident because the east-enders have always managed to do well in "big games.'' "Our batting is not producing much, but we have always been a team that responds to big cup games and I expect it to be no different this time. I'm looking for the team to turn it on in this game,'' said the confident Fox.

The young season has brought similar results for both Western Stars and St.

George's with each having scored consecutive victories from the three Premier Division matches they have played.

However, Fox is fully aware of the fact that his team will have to start scoring runs if they are to challenge the stronger teams like their opponents on Saturday. His bowlers will not always have to answer when his batting struggles.

"Our bowling and fielding have carried us so far this season with the batting not producing. Medium-pacer Greg Foggo is one in particular who is playing at the standard that we've always known he was capable of reaching,'' said the skipper.

"Going into this game it will be up to our batsmen. If they help us reach a solid score then I know our bowling and fielding will help us to take care of everything else.'' He is hopeful that batsmen like Clay Smith, newcomer Dexter Smith and Anthony Trott will start delivering soon.

Fox expects a fierce challenge from his formidable opponents, but admits not to be overly worried about their strengths. "I'm not too concerned about our opponents at all, our approach is always to stick our own game plan,'' he said.

The St. George's skipper reckoned that they should be capable of fielding a strong side, although Clay Smith has been abroad and has missed training this week. But he is expected back in the Island today.

There is a slight possibility that fast bowler Kenny Phillips may have work commitments that could prevent him from playing, but St. George's were looking forward to a confirmation from him one way or another after last night's training session.

Few players in Western Stars' team are looking forward to the match-up more than their latest recruit Andre Manders who this season rejoined them after spending three seasons with Somerset CC.

Manders will be playing in this event for the first time in four years after three seasons where Somerset failed to qualify.

"We (Somerset) finished fifth one year and barely missed out,'' said Manders yesterday.

"Going into Saturday's game I think the two teams are pretty even, but on paper Stars appear to be the stronger of the two. Still one cannot overlook the fact that St. George's have a good bowling attack with Ricky Hodsoll back and their batting is sound as well with Dexter Smith joining them.'' Like Fox, Manders says that it has been the bowlers at Stars who have really carried the team this season. Skipper Gary Brangman, his brother Allan and Roger Leverock have provided good pace bowling while Arnold Manders and Wayne Richardson have grabbed vital wickets with their spin bowling as well.