St. David's are set to abandon their `league players only' policy when they begin the defence of their Eastern Counties title on July 18.

In last year's final the club's league players reclaimed the cup by beating Bailey's Bay in a thrilling final.

But the club are ready to scrap that policy, which was adopted last year, and bring in three or even four players from outside the league team to boost their chances of another successful run in the summer series which begins with a first round meeting with Bay at Sea Breeze Oval.

Albert Steede of Western Stars and St. George's trio Herbie Bascome, Lionel Cann and Clay Smith, who is eligible for his debut after two years of residence in St. David's, have all been invited to train as has Reginald Pitcher who joined Warwick this season.

Pitcher is one of four members from last year's county team that has either left the club (he and Cann) or are not playing this season (George Cannonier and Dean Pitcher) which would have forced changes anyway.

Another player set for his debut is former St. George's captain Graham Fox who is now eligible after two years playing with the St. David's league team. In Smith and Steede the Islanders have at their disposal two of Bermuda's premier batsmen.

"At this point in the season we need all the help that we can get,'' said a member of the St. David's team who asked not to be named.

"I think all of those who are eligible for County should be invited to come down and try out because it's more competition for the team and no one in particular can lay back and think their place is automatic.'' The player stressed that the club were not abandoning their youth policy but that recent results, like the loss to Police, sent out a message that additional experience might be needed.

There is talk that Bay, in a bid to force a result, may prepare a lively wicket.

"It just shows that we do need a bit more experience and that we need to give them (youngsters) a bit more time,'' said the player.

"It was felt that if the league players were performing then we would go with our league players.'' There is likely to be mixed reaction from the St. David's fans to Cann's possible inclusion in particular, following comments he made about the club last year when Clay Smith was overlooked for the player-coach post which went to Fox.

Cann was subsequently suspended by the club and he moved to neighbours St.

George's, though he is now eligible to play for the club again.

Meanwhile, Bay could be giving a debut to 15-year-old Jim West who has been cleared to play in the competition by the Eastern Counties Cricket Association.

West, an allrounder, lives in Shelly Bay which is outside the boundary for Bailey's Bay players, but he is eligible from having played two years in the club's youth programme.

Dashing batsman Glenn Blakeney has been missing from the team lately because of a shoulder injury and may not recover in time which would create an opening.

There is mixed reaction at the club to Noel Gibbons' possible inclusion, as he has been abroad all season. The veteran allrounder, if he is picked, will celebrate 30 years in the competition since his debut in 1969. Gibbons wants to make this his final year.

He became the first batsman to score 1,000 runs in the Eastern Counties in 1983 and is also the top wicket-taker.

Bermuda Cricket Board of Control have announced that the Eastern Junior Counties match, scheduled for Lord's on Saturday between St. David's and Flatts, has been put back to Saturday, July 25. The change was made because the date clashed with the Under-16 East v West All Star game.