today, attention will switch back to Open League cricket tomorrow.

Western Stars and Bailey's Bay battle in the top match at St. John's Field, a clash that gets that billing more because what the teams are capable of doing rather than what they have actually done.

Neither have won this season in the Open league, with Stars third in the standings after three draws while Bay, the defending Open champions, are rock bottom after a draw and a loss in their only two matches.

It will be the first meeting between the teams this season and there is seemingly too much quality in both sides to suggest it won't be an exciting encounter.

While neither have set the season alight, on paper they are still two of the top three teams in local cricket. Both are solidly stacked in the batting department and a high scoring game looks the most likely outcome.

Stars will rely on openers Albert Steede and Treadwell Gibbons, and after that Cleon Scotland, captain Arnold Manders, Hasan Durham and Ricky Brangman, for the bulk of their runs while Bay will look to Ricky Hill, Glenn Blakeney, captian Charlie Marshall and Irving Romaine.

St. George's, who eliminated Cleveland from the Knockout Cup in the first round, meet the Harris Bay boys again as they look to extend their lead at the top.

St. George's will be hoping Cleveland are still hung over from their sound beating at the hands of Police a week ago.

Police, who moved into second place with that win, face fourth-placed Willow Cuts at Police Field in another interesting match while Southampton Rangers should leave Devonshire Rec. still seeking their first win of the season after Rec's visit to Southampton Oval.

In the First Division, leaders Flatts have established themselves as the team to beat after last weekend's easy win over Warwick. Their next opponents will be PHC, at Devonshire Rec. while Somerset are at home to Social Club and Somerset Bridge host St. David's at White Hill Field. All matches start at 11.00 a.m.

Flatts have a good chance to advance to the last four of the Knockout Cup today when they travel east to meet St. David's. Police are at home to Warwick while Western Stars play the first of two tough weekend matches when they travel to Wellington Oval to meet unbeaten St. George's.

After two losses to St. George's already this season, and with the Central Counties final against Police a week away, it's vital for Stars that they win today.

Also battling for a semi-final place are defending champions Bailey's Bay who are away to Southampton Rangers.

The competition has been won by either Bay or St. George's in the last seven years. Bay won in 1991, '92, '94 and '97 while St George's, after losing in the 1990 final to Southampton Rangers, claimed the title in 1993, '95 and '96.