Noel Gibbons pointed out -- and the records will show it -- that a strong batting team is not usually what the challengers require to dethrone the Eastern Counties champions.

That's the reality facing St. David's when they make the short trip this morning to Sea Breeze Oval for the final.

In the past 16 years teams winning the cup from the holders have not needed to score more than 200 runs. Back in 1979 the then champions Flatts needed 149 for victory and fell 10 runs short of Bay's total.

The next year champions Bay scored 144 after chasing Cleveland's 156 for victory, and in that same year Cleveland batted first and scored just 102 before Flatts dethroned them.

In 1981 new champions Flatts scored 117 and Cleveland won the trophy back when they replied with 121-7, only to lose the cup again that same year when they scored 179 and St. David's replied with 180-3. The following year St. David's set Bailey's Bay a winning target of 196 and they accepted the challenge, losing eight wickets on their way to victory.

The last time St. David's won the cup from Bay, in 1987, it was by one run in another low scoring game as St. David's managed 150 and Bay replied with 149 in one of the most exciting finishes of the competition.

St. David's are hoping history can repeat itself, though Bay will not be in the mood to give up something they worked so hard to get two years ago.

"I think St. David's have a very good group of outside players,'' said veteran all-rounder Gibbons. "By including Wendell (Smith) and Albert (Steede) it makes their batting stronger.

"But in order for them to win the trophy they have to bowl us out. If Wendell and Albert fail with the bat they are no good to the team as neither of them bowl. They are just there to make runs.'' If St. David's have to chase a target they have the batsmen to do so provided there is sufficient time. President Eddie Lamb said this week that he was expecting an "invaluable contribution'' from Steede.

However, if the Islanders bat first their biggest decision would be when to declare and with how many runs.

Either way, on what is expected to be a batsmen's wicket it is important that the St. David's bowlers bowl well and that catches are held.

"Their bowling is pretty good, a lot will depend on the strip at (Bailey's) Bay which is a batsman's paradise, really,'' said Gibbons.

Such is the depth of Bay's squad that they have made three changes to the second round team without looking any weaker. Glenn Smith returns from England while Roger Trott comes in to keep wicket and Corey Hill is recalled after being one of four players dropped for the second round.

Dropped from the last round are Cal Dill, Irving Burgess and Irving Romaine, which means that 16 players have been used in total by the champions for this series. Just four players, captain Ricky Hill, Charlie Marshall, Jermaine Outerbridge and Gibbons, have been picked to play in all three matches.

"With Glenn our batting will be stronger than it was in the last round,'' believed Gibbons, who failed to get off the mark against Cleveland two weeks ago.

"Regarding my duck, no, I have nothing to prove as a result of it,'' Gibbons insisted. "It's my second duck since 1969 when I made my debut and I have proven myself since then over the years.

"There definitely is no pressure on me to make up for failing to score against Cleveland. At the end of the day we will still be champions but we are expecting a sterling effort from St. David's. They have a good all around team.

"It's nice to see them include Kameron Fox. He is a youngster who I have been in touch with over the years and he has lots of potential.'' Last year Bay were sent in on a damp wicket but still managed to score 300-3 after St. David's had them in early trouble at 36-2. The last round was also played on a damp wicket with Cleveland struggling through several interruptions after batting first.

Teams Bailey's Bay: R.Hill, C.Marshall, Dev.Hollis, N.Gibbons, G.Smith, R.Trott, C.Hill, J.Outerbridge, D.Edwards, A.Braithwaite, C.Trott. Res: I.Romaine, D.Pilgrim, C.Durham.

St. David's: L.Cann, S.Pitcher, W.Smith, A.Steede, E.Lamb (colt), P.Pitcher, D.Hollis, H.Bascome, S.Robinson, D.Fox, K.Fox (colt). 12th man -- Rudy Smith.

Res: A.Bascome, C.Foggo, O.J.Pitcher.

NOEL GIBBONS -- `They have to bowl us out'.