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Islanders and Rangers battle for cup berth

While Western Stars wrapped up the Premier League title two weeks ago much drama awaits tomorrow's final day of play, with the matter of Camel Cup places yet to be decided.

Stars and St. George's have already secured two of the four spots on offer.

However, four teams -- Southampton, St. David's, Cleveland and Police still have realistic shots at joining that duo.

Sparks -- or at least several beads of sweat -- are sure to fly up at Southampton Oval where the home side look to be not so kind hosts to St.

David's in what will be a do-or-die contest.

The third and fourth place sides fully realise that a loss by either will likely doom them to fifth place.

Islanders captain and coach, Clay Smith, is fully cognizant of the consequences a defeat will offer, as wins by Cleveland or Police -- who play each other at Wellington Oval -- would allow them to leapfrog the east end outfit.

"At the beginning of the season our number one goal was to get into the Camel Cup,'' said Smith, a major part of St. David's' success this year.

"We were very disappointed not have booked our place on Sunday against Cleveland. So, basically, it boils down to Rangers and we're going up there with a strong team, looking to rebound after that loss...we can't take any prisoners.

"The good part about it is that if we do win we end up coming second. And I honestly feel that we've worked tremendously hard all season and really deserve it.'' Cleveland embarrassed St. David's with a 96-run victory at Lord's in a match which saw the home side muster just 64 runs.

And making Sunday's task all the more difficult will be the fact that St.

David's will have played the day previous during the final of the Eastern Counties Cup, although Flatts are not expected to stretch them too much.

"It's going to be very tough for us, physically, but at the end of the day it's going to be `How much do we want it?', said Smith.

"Looking at Rangers' team, they're very solid in their first five batsmen and they are the type of team that you need to get one or two early wickets to put them under a lot of pressure.

"The key is getting early wickets against them, because they're not very deep in their batting. But lots of times you've seen Clevie (Wade) pull them out when they've been in a hole.'' A win for Southampton or St. David's would give the victor a final finishing place of second behind Stars, with current holders of the position, St.

George's, having already completed their 2000 campaign.

At Wellington Oval, Cleveland know that they must win and hope for a St.

David's loss to earn a berth. Cleveland can tie either loser of the Southampton versus St. David's match on points, but own the tie-break only against the latter.

For Police the issue is much simpler -- win and they're in, unless Southampton and St. David's manage an improbable tie, in which case both qualify.

The other fixtures pale in significance with teams playing only for pride.

Somerset Bridge entertain Warwick in a replay of last week's Western Counties affair, Willow Cuts take on Stars, who are seeking their 22nd straight triumph and remain on course for an unbeaten season, Flatts host Bailey's Bay, PHC entertain Devonshire Rec and Somerset travel to face Social Club.