Noel Gibbons is set to become the first Bermudian to take up an official cricket post in South Africa.

The all-rounder has landed a coaching job with Napilia Cricket Club in Soweto and will take up the position along with England's Ben Taylor next June.

Taylor, an allrounder who has just finished a Middle East and African tour with Gibbons' World Select, plays for the English County side Hampshire.

The duo will replace two English coaches who are currently with Napilia, with Gibbons and Taylor scheduled to sign on for a minimum of two years.

Gibbons learned of the news when he and his World Select arrived in London yesterday after their whirlwind tour that saw them play 20 matches in United Arab Emirates, Dubai, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

"Naturally I was delighted to hear the news. Both Ben and I are looking forward to the coaching position with excitement,'' said Gibbons, who captained the World Select.

"Although my priority is to return to Bermuda one day and coach, this is an important step for me in coaching. Since I am winding down my playing career I plan to capture whatever coaching tips I can while I am abroad.

"Now that Bermuda Cricket Board of Control have taken the initiative and organised a youth competition it will be interesting to participate and help to get Bermuda cricket back on the right track.'' Gibbons was also pleased about his team's performance on tour where they finished up winning 14 games and losing just six. The top allrounder performed well, amassing 541 runs and claiming 33 wickets.

But it was his vice-captain, Sanjay Manrakar of India, who came away with tour honours. He hammered four centuries and scored 802 runs during 15 games. The top bowler on tour was Wasim Khan of Pakistan, a leg spinner, who collected 46 wickets. Nitindo Guarda, a South African fast bowler, finished with 45 wickets.

"The tour was a huge success for all of the players. Our manager was so pleased that there is already talk about us gathering again next to tour the West Indies. If this occurs then I will hope that we can include Bermuda in it,'' added Gibbons.

The Bailey's Bay player is expected to return home within the next two weeks to rejoin his local club.

He has already called this year's Eastern Counties Cup his "swan song'', claiming that he will to bow out after the competition and give other youngsters at the club a chance to play.

"But my goal is to help Bailey's Bay regain the Eastern Counties Cup and support them in whatever way that I can to ensure that they have a productive season once again,'' said Gibbons.

Last weekend's rain prevented any winners in the third round of the Premier Overs competition, so teams will go into tomorrow's matches determined to secure a victory.

Joint leaders Bailey's Bay and St. George's faced each other last Sunday in what should have been one of the better match-ups of the season. But the eagerly awaited contest lasted just a few overs and the teams had to settle for a share of the points.

The two teams should remain in the top spots after their matches this weekend with Warwick and Devonshire Rec.

St. George's are at home to Devonshire at Wellington Oval while Bay travel to Southampton Oval to meet Warwick.

Wins are important for all four teams as, at the top of the table, the league race is still wide open, while Warwick and Rec. -- still winless at the bottom -- are fighting for survival.

The pick of the four matches should be at St. John's Field where Western Stars play Willow Cuts. Stars would normally be favourites but their indifferent form this season puts them on a par with Cuts, with whom they drew recently in their Open League match at Somerset.

In the other match, Police take on St. David's who are gearing up for the first defence of their Eastern Counties title in three weeks' time. Police recently emerged as champions of the Central Counties and the two teams could meet in the Champion of Champions competition in September.

The leading two teams in the First Division, Flatts and Southampton Rangers, meet in the top match at Devonshire Rec. while Somerset Bridge are at home to Social Club and Somerset host PHC.

All games start at noon.