Stars enter as firm favourites to once again sweep up all the silverware, but challengers -- both real and imagined -- abound. In the first of a three-part series, sports reporter PATRICK BEAN casts a pre-season glance at six of Bermuda's Premier Division clubs. BAILEY'S BAY A perennial powerhouse, Bailey's Bay lacked their usual explosiveness during a 2000 season that proved a major disappointment. After prominently factoring early in the campaign, with newcomer Jermaine Warner flourishing with the bat alongside Ricky Hill at the top of the order, Bay fell flat and never recovered. And while supporters may not be willing to accept another so-so season, it is likely they will be force fed much of the same under new captain Corey Hill. With former captain Charlie Marshall's booming middle order bat relocated further east Bay will find runs even harder to come by, however a bright spot exists in that their bowling line-up returns unchanged.

Captain: Corey Hill Home field: Sea Breeze Oval Key players: Corey Hill, Ricky Hill, Dennis Pilgrim, Irving Romaine Additions: None Departures: Charlie Marshall, Jason Anderson 2000 league record (position): 9-4-1 (sixth) Predicted finish: Fifth CLEVELAND A great deal has been made of the departure of opening batsman Curtis Jackson, and he will be missed, but probably not to the extent many would assume.

Jackson had a sub-par 2000, averaging just 24 runs a game, and the boys from Harris Bay were still able to achieve a respectable fifth place finish. The heart and soul of Cleveland remains Aaron Adams, with Peter Philpott his foil.

Capable with bat and ball it is with the said pair that Cleveland's hopes rise and fall. Still, other contributions will be needed and, in the batting department, Jason Simons and Anthony Bascome look ready to stake their claim, while Courtney Trott, Haru Rawat, Merkell Smith and old reliable Johnny Richardson create a formidale bowling attack.

Captain: Aaron Adams Home field: Wellington Oval Key players: Aaron Adams, Peter Philpott, Johnny Richardson, Jason Simons, Anthony Bascome, Merkell Smith Additions: None Departures: Curtis Jackson 2000 league record (position): 10-4-0 (fifth) Predicted finish: Eighth DEVONSHIRE REC.

As indicated by their place toward the lower end of the standings, Devonshire Rec. were a below average team, but this fails to reveal the true identity of the side. While not coming close to bringing back memories of the glory days of the 70s and 80s, last year's crop showed great promise, if only in flashes, and should be even better this time around if they are prepared to once again make sacrifice for the sake of the team. Indeed, absent the great supporting cast his dad had captain Winston (Herb) Trott will want to maximise available talent. Key in any success will likely be Wendell Swan, who had a break-out 2000, exposing himself as a reliable bat and part-time bowler. Former captain Anthony Amory and brother Omar must also figure well if they are to improve from the 10th place finish.

Captain: Winston Trott Home field: Devonshire Rec.

Key players: Winston Trott, Anthony Amory, Wendell Swan, Rudy Smith, Omar Amory Additions: None Departures: None 2000 league record (position): 6-8-0 (10th) Predicted finish: 10th FLATTS Local radio commentator C.V. (Jim) Woolridge may affectionately speak of the `Mighty Flatts', however there appears very little substance to the chatter based on the club's constant failure in recent years to distinguish itself as a legitimate challenger. Even a valiant effort in defeat at the hands of St.

David's during last year's Eastern Counties does little to provide hope, when one considers how much of this came as a direct result of the inclusion of several guest players, players not available for league play. Skipper Rahji Edness has much to do if he is to convert his squad from poor to respectable.

The departure of batsman Gershon Gibbons opens a hole at the top of the batting order. Still, there remains real talent among the group, but questions surround the overall commitment from week to week.

Captain: Rahji Edness Home field: Devonshire Rec.

Key players: Rahji Edness, Phillip Burgess, Troy Bean, Quinn Outerbridge, Derek Wright Additions: None Departures: Gershon Gibbons 2000 league record (position): 5-9-0 (11th) Predicted finish: 12th PHC PHC were probably the team most devastated by the offseason transfer market, losing two of their best bastsmen and a useful change bowler. Sheridan Ming's decision to part company with the side and take his 35.90 average further west to Somerset creates a huge void at the top of the order, and this is further exacerbated by Mark Smith's decision to seek greener pastures at neighbours Southampton Rangers. Useful left-arm medium pacer Allan Wilkinson will likewise be absent this year, having taken up with Police. yet, there is some hope that the arrival of former Cup Match star Andre Manders as player/coach will offset the losses and enable them to improve on a 2000 campaign that witnessed but three league victories.

Captain: Unknown Home field: White Hill Field Key players: James Pace, Charles Symons, Cal Waldron, Andre Manders, Shoron Hunt Additions: Andre Manders Departures: Marks Smith, Sheridan Ming, Allan Wilkinson 2000 league record (position): 3-11-0 (12th) Predicted finish: 13th POLICE Fresh off a tour of the Australian outback, where the local boys in blue squared off against contemporaries from several points around the globe, Police should be well primed for the start of the season. Noting his squad to be traditional slow starters, team manager Richard Austin earlier noted how the tour should serve to provide an early boost, so that much is not lost early that cannot be made up. Nevertheless, challenges exist in finding fill-ins for hard hitting, middle order batsman Stevie Lightbourne and leading slow bowler Dwayne Leverock, and to a lesser extent quick Kenny Phillip.

Lightbourne takes his 21.84 average to Southampton Rangers, while Leverock and his 19 scalps at an average of 15.31 go to Western Stars. Allan Wilkinson comes in to give another option in the bowling department, however it will likely be the bats that provide the best chance for success. In that department much will depend on the likes of Dennis Archer, Ferdinand Thorne, David Greenidge and Andrew Rollins. Thorne was in devastating form throughout last season, averaging 50.25, while Greenidge and Archer weighed in at 38.00 and 33.62 respectively.

Captain: Unknown Home field: Police Field Key players: Dennis Archer, Ferdinand Thorne, David Greenidge, Andrew Rollins Additions: Allan Wilkinson Departures: Stevie Lightbourne, Dwaynwe Leverock, Kenny Phillip 2000 league record (position): 8-4-2 (Seventh) Predicted finish: Seventh Mighty Quinn: Flatts' hopes of success will depend on the likes of Quinn Outerbridge (batting).