profiles on the teams that will contest for this year's silverware.

ST. DAVID'S Mr. Everything, Clay Smith, continues to assemble a fearsome unit at the east end, combining youth and experience to good effect. Last year's second place finish and continued defence of the Eastern Counties was no fluke and this year Smith is taking dead aim at the whole `Kit-and-Kaboodle'.

While Smith is the undoubted heart and soul of the side as player/coach/captain, he has several weapons to help him with a formidable batting line-up containing the likes of Glenn Blakeney, who averaged more than 59 runs every time he strode to the wicket, young O.J. Pitcher, late order basher Lionel Cann. And for good measure he added wicketkeeper/batsman Dean Minors in the off season.

The bowling department is not very deep, but they possess potential match winners in the likes of Del Hollis and Lionel Cann, and if pacer Dale Fox finds time to make a full commitment it may well be that the Islanders can celebrate more than just the Counties.

Captain: Clay Smith Home field: Lords Key players: Clay Smith, Lionel Cann, Del Hollis, Glenn Blakeney, O.J. Pitcher Additions: Dean Minors Departures: Kameron Fox 2000 league record (position): 11-3-0 (second) Predicted finish: Second ST. GEORGE'S St. George's have taken on the air of `Club Turmoil', with various allegations circulating regarding drug activity among team members. These along with the hiring of Charlie Marshall as captain, replacing Herbie Bascome, at least on the outside, give the impression of a team unsettled and possibly vulnerable entering the new campaign. The departure of wicketkeeper/batsman Dean Minors is an obvious loss, but one-time understudy Jason Anderson has returned to at least fill the role behind the stumps. Nevertheless, despite all the dark clouds hovering above, St. George's stand as contenders for all competitions, with Marshall's explosive bat anchoring a batting line-up that also contains veterans Graham Fox and Mark Ray. Bascome, the league's leading wicket-taker last season returns with pace partner Gregg Foggo, while new addition Kenny Phillip adds yet another prong to the pace attack. Ray, Ryan Steede and Eugene Foggo also provide useful options.

Captain: Charlie Marshall Home field: Wellington Oval Key players: Charlie Marshall, Herbie Bascome, Mark Ray, Gregg Foggo, Graham Fox Additions: Andrew Richardson, Kameron Fox, Jason Anderson, Kenny Phillip, Charlie Marshall Departures: Dean Minors 2000 league record (position): 10-3-1 (third) Predicted finish: Fourth SOCIAL CLUB God would be hard pressed to find a miracle to convert Social Club into anything resembling a contender, but it just may be in His power to deliver a respectable unit, although doubts exist even there. Perennial whipping boys, the Pembroke club can expect more of the same this time around. Social Club would no doubt support the existence of two divisions, as they are ill-suited for play against even middle-of-the-table sides let alone those of the upper echelon. Yet, to their credit, they have soldiered on in recent seasons against mounting odds, adhering to the motto of cricket being a means of fun and enjoyment on a Sunday afternoon.

Captain: Unknown Key players: Kevin Lapsley, H. Clarke, Dennis Nesbit, Jaymo Durham Additions: None Departures: None 2000 league record (position): 2-12-0 (14th) Predicted finish: 15th SOM BRIDGE Ditto Social Club. Bridge achieved one of the more dubious honours last year, managing to lose every single league match played. And there is no reason to believe this season will be any different. They have added Alfred Carter in hopes of boosting the batting line-up, but much more will be required if the White Hill boys are to achieve respectability. The side had one glorious moment when they captured the Western Counties crown from Warwick, but theirs was a short-lived reign as Southampton duly relieved them of the title two weeks later. Bridge have some capable players in the likes of skipper Denzil Dill, Brian Gibbons, Corvette Lambert and Adrian Burrows, but they never seem able to get it together at the same time.

Captain: Denzil Dill Key players: Denzil Dill, Brian Gibbons, Corvette Lambert, Adrian Burrows Additions: Alfred Carter Departures: None 2000 league record (position): 0-14-0 (15th) Predicted finish: 14th SOMERSET Could this be the year that Somerset announce themselves as having rejoined cricket's elite? A fast start to 2000 seemed to indicate a new found might at the west end, but a second half meltdown served to expose several holes still existing in their armour. The off season has proven quite fruitful, however, with the additions of national squad members Sheridan Ming and Curtis Jackson from PHC and Cleveland respectively, as well as the return of former players Davon Wade and Shannon Warner. All are capable batsmen and should make for some interesting times when added to the likes of skipper and Cup Match MVP Wendell White, Leon Place, et al. Somerset, though, are still lacking in the bowling department and will need all the runs they can get to achieve positive results, particularly against the big boys.

Captain: Wendell White Key players: Wendell White, Curtis Jackson, Leon Place, Francis Richardson, Sheridan Ming Additions: Curtis Jackson, Sheridan Ming, Shannon Warner, Davon Wade Departures: Tucoma Robinson 2000 league record (position): 6-8-0 (9th) Predicted finish: 9th