Champion of Champions competition returns this weekend after a one year absence and under a new sponsor.

Despite being considered the least glamorous of the three counties, the Central Counties have boasted the strongest teams, an argument that is backed up by having won the Champion of Champions on 10 of the 18 occasions. Eastern and Western Counties teams are a distant second with four wins each.

The tournament, which began under Benson and Hedges 20 years ago and was later sponsored by BF&M, is now back thanks to sponsorship by TeleBermuda International (TBI).

Cricketing great Sir Gary Sobers, who was in attentance in 1978 to present the inaugural trophy to Flatts, is back on the Island this weekend, as a consultant for the Barbados Tourism Authority. He will likely make an appearance.

Ironically, the same three teams that would have played last year are back as champions of their respective counties again this year.

Police, the 1996 winners, take on St. David's in today's semi-final at Lord's while Southampton Rangers of the Western Counties meet the winners tomorrow at the same ground. All the matches start at 11.00.

This year will see three evenly matched teams, even though St. David's and Rangers have the advantage of being able to call on guest players. St. David's have named St. George's pair Lionel Cann and Herbie Bascome in their team along with Reginald Pitcher of Warwick, who was overlooked for the counties.

Rangers have again called on Dexter Smith of Devonshire Rec and Bay's top bowler Clarkie Trott.

Wendell Smith, frustrated with some umpiring decisions last weekend in the Knockout Cup final against St. David's, confirmed to St. David's chairman of cricket, Delby Borden, after the match that he would be unavailable for this weekend. He urged Borden to look to the youngsters.

And after beating top two Bailey's Bay and St. George's to win the Knockout for the first time, St. David's will now be gunning for the third best team this season -- Police -- in their bid to reach tomorrow's final on their home field.

"I've been chairman of this programme for about three or four years and I can tell you in the last two year's I've seen a lot of strides in these youngsters,'' said Borden.

The matches will determine the top county team this season. While Police and Rangers won all their matches to retain their titles, St. David's went through with three draws in the only counties that isn't limited overs.

"It's a very important game,'' said Rangers coach Randy Raynor of the final tomorrow.

"We believe since everybody has done all of the talk now they have to do the walk. More importantly we really want to give the crowd a good display of cricket.'' Rangers will finalise their starting team on the morning of the final.

St. David's: Graham Fox (capt), Herbie Bascome, Landro Minors, Lionel Cann, Sammy Robinson, O.J.Pitcher, Allen Richardson, Del Hollis, Reginald Pitcher, George Cannonier, Kameron Fox. 12th man is Rudell Pitcher. Res: Delby Borden Jr., Fiqre Crockwell.

Southampton: Olin Jones, Janeiro Tucker, Kwame Tucker, Keith Wainwright, Dexter Smith, Clarkie Trott, Carl Garzette, Dwayne Steede, David Saltus, Garry Williams, Gary Crofton, Ryan Belboda, Kamen Tucker, David Burchall.