final.

Western Counties secretary Wayne Raynor confirmed earlier this week that three significant changes would be made for the 1997 series, including reverting back to a one-day final in the first week of September.

It was back on August 24-25, 1974 -- the same weekend that motorcycle stuntman Cyril (Big) Smith made a successful leap over three cars at PHC Stadium -- that history was made with the staging of the first two-day Western Counties final, between Southampton Rangers and Somerset Bridge.

Now the competition will revert back to a one-day final, falling in line with the three earlier matches in the competition which will be changed from 60 overs to 50 overs, starting at 10 a.m. instead of 11 a.m.

"We're trying to adopt the rules that Bermuda played under in the Shell/Sandals last year,'' explained Raynor.

Previously, with the 60 over matches, there was no restriction on the number of overs each bowler could bowl -- a rule which only applied in the Western Counties. The change should serve to eliminate the late finishes which in recent years have seen some games not end until after 8.00 p.m.

It was during the two-day final that the individual batting record was twice broken, with colt Jeff Richardson of Somerset Bridge scoring 186 in 1992 to beat Sheridan Raynor's previous best of 156 not out which he set in 1965.

Two years ago Gladwin Edness of Willow Cuts became the first batsmen to score a double century in the Western Counties when he hit 206 against Somerset Bridge in the two-day final. In one day matches that record will probably never be broken.

Champions Somerset Bridge will play Warwick in the first round on July 5 before Southampton come in in the second round, new members PHC in the third round and Willow Cuts in the final in the first week of September.

One other change, which is similar to one made last year by the Eastern Counties, is that the matches will alternate each year between two venues.

This year's four matches will take place at White Hill Field while next year Southampton Oval will host the competition.

There are also plans afoot to revive the junior counties competition and to meet that end the clubs in the Western Counties have agreed to `adopt a school' to help revive the junior programme.

"We've gotten a commitment from the clubs and they will adopt a primary school in their area,'' explained Raynor. "Last year Southampton Rangers put down an astro turf wicket at Heron Bay which was an effort supported by both the club and the counties.

"Our coach, Randy Raynor, held several training sessions with the school and this is the sort of thing that we hope other clubs will get involved in. To get cricket started again it has to be played in primary schools.

"It is up to the BCBC to see that that takes place. The board is the governing body and they should make sure that cricket is part of the schools' sporting programme.'' Warwick Workmen's Club will adopt Paget Primary, PHC will take Purvis under their wing while Rangers will again be responsible with helping Heron Bay.

Somerset Bridge will adopt Southampton Glebe and Willow Cuts will be responsible for Somerset Primary and West End.