Knockout Cup semi-finals, but Cleveland know it will be even tougher to beat the Eastern Counties champions in today's second round at the same venue (10 a.m.).

In that last meeting a winner had to be produced in the limited overs match, but with so much at stake for the champions coupled with the fact that they don't have to win to retain the cup, the odds are against Cleveland pulling off another victory.

Still, veteran player and chairman of the cricket programme at Cleveland, Grant Smith, is confident victory can be achieved, even on a wicket that is expected to favour the batsmen and give little assistance to the bowlers.

"That's been the norm for the past so many years. Whoever has the trophy wants to keep it and that's the way they do it,'' said Smith.

"Everyone is quite positive, we've analysed their team and we see where we can attack and we feel upbeat that they can be beaten in county cup.'' said Smith who has opted to sit out this year's match because he has played only a few games this season.

"But that doesn't mean the end,'' warned the club's most senior player. "I just didn't fully commit to cricket this season.'' Cleveland have named two colts in their team, talented youngsters Jason Simons, an allrounder, and spinner Gregory Talbot while also included are former captain Peter Philpott of Police and Western Stars' Hasan Durham.

"While some guys did want me to play I opted not to, especially when we did have such talented youngsters in Jason, Gregory and Courtney (Trott) and they've done a very good job all season,'' said Smith.

Trott, an opening bat, misses out again on selection but Smith sees him as definitely one for the future. "Last season he was having an excellent season and would have walked right into the county team but just before county he broke his ankle,'' explained Smith, whose 100 not out against champions St.

David's in 1992 is the first, and only, century scored by a Cleveland batsman in the competition.

Cleveland have not won the cup since the early 1980s, winning it off Bailey's Bay in the second round in 1980 by 12 runs only to lose it to Flatts in the final. They got it back from Flatts in the first round of 1981 when they won by three wickets but they lost it again in the second round when St. David's triumphed. This will be Cleveland's 15th attempt to win the cup back.

Bay have made two changes from their team in the first round against Flatts, bringing in Irving Burgess and Clarkie Trott in place of Jermaine Outerbridge and Dennis Pilgrim.

No Premier Division matches are scheduled for tomorrow with the games between Western Stars and St. George's and Police and Willow Cuts having been rescheduled for September 14 and 15.

Four First Division matches are on tap for Sunday, with the Youth Team playing Devonshire Rec., PHC taking on Somerset Bridge, Social Club playing Somerset and Flatts at home to Warwick.

See Scoreboard for list of rescheduled matches.