competition this season. But just how competitive they will be minus the services of fast bowler Roger Blades, all-rounder Dwayne Leverock and opening bat Donovan Livingston remains to be seen.

"We expect to be fine, but we really need to play as a team now because we don't have the resources of last season. It's definitely a case of us having to call on some of the others to pick up the slack after the loss of those players,'' admitted team spokesman Richard Austin.

Shortly after returning from a successful tour of Barbados, Police will tomorrow aim to get their local programme on track with a successful season-opener against Devonshire Rec. at Police Field as play in the Premier Open Division continues.

Despite their diminished ranks, skipper Dennis Archer firmly believes that sufficient talent remains for Police to be competitive this season.

And they will quickly have an opportunity to prove his point against a Devonshire Rec. side who also fancy their chances of honours this season.

One of the day's other top games is at Wellington Oval where St. George's entertain Bailey's Bay in a match-up which could produce plenty of runs.

Narrow miss for Police From Page 17 Western Stars are at a home against Southampton Rangers in an interesting clash at St. John's Field while Willow Cuts entertain Cleveland at Somerset CC.

Police narrowly missed out on a place in the semi-finals of the International Police Tournament held recently in Barbados.

The local bobbies were edged out on scoring rate by Western Australia after both teams finished with a three-win, two-loss record in their group.

The tournament was won by Barbados who recovered from 50-5 to reach New South Wales' target of 194 with three wickets intact.

The 12 competing teams were split into two groups of six with the Bermuda Police losing to Barbados by 191 runs in their opening match. Barbados scored 297-6 in their 45 overs and then dismissed the Bermuda Police for 106.

Police bounced back with a four wicket win over West Australia who were dismissed for 126 as Richard Austin and captain Dennis Archer both claimed three wickets. In the reply of 127 for six, Archer scored 51 not out and Mervyn Greaves 33.

Antigua also lost to Bermuda, scoring 174 all out as Thorne claimed three for 29. Andrew Rollins scored 68 and Roger Blades 58 not out as Bermuda replied with 179-8 in 39.4 overs.

Thorne and Peter Philpott both claimed three for 19 and Terry Thomas two wickets in two deliveries as next opponents, West Mercia of England were dismissed for 114 in 44.2 overs. Adrian King, who played only the one match for Police, scored 34 while Thomas hit 25 in the reply of 116-5.

Police missed the chance to seal a place in the semi-finals when they went down to the British Virgin Islands who scored 217 and then bowled out Bermuda for 177 with Greaves scoring 72 not out and Philpott 32.