champions Bailey's Bay in today's Limited Overs Open Knockout semifinal at Police field.

While these two teams tangle, the feature game of the day is at nearby Devonshire Rec. field where the hosts take on a strong Western Stars team.

Both games start at noon.

Police will be missing two regulars in all-rounder Roger Blades and opening batsman David Greenidge, but they still feel that the team will remain competitive going up against formidable opponents who have just been reinforced by the return of veteran Noel Gibbons. Gibbons had been playing as a professional in England.

But the victory that Police scored over league challengers Willow Cuts last week may have been the boost they needed going into a big game like this one -- and the person who spearheaded them to that victory with a scintillating century, Tyrone Smith, is looking for another solid performance this time around.

Although he has missed as many as 12 games this season, Smith proved that he is still a quality batsman. "I have just come back into the game and I am still working on technique, but the century has given me some confidence,'' he said.

Blades' absence will hurt the team because he is their main opening bowler and he is also one of their most dependable middle-order batsmen. Greenidge has been a useful partner for the other opener, Dennis Archer, but Smith will probably fill in as opener for this game.

One player expected to come into the line-up for the two absentees is young Jermaine Tucker who has been bowling quite well in recent matches.

The teams drew in their Open league game at Sea Breeze on July 26, Bailey's Bay scoring 223 for eight declared with Charlie Marshall hitting 101 not out and Police replying with 120 for three with Archer stroking 60. The record this season shows exactly how evenly matched Devonshire Rec. and Western Stars are. Devonshire beat Stars in the Camel Cup final by four wicket, Stars won the Central Counties final by seven wickets then their Open League game ended in a draw on August 30.

"It's always been a stiff battle when we have met, you can bet that we will not be taking anything for granted this time around,'' said Devonshire skipper Anthony Amory, who is pleased to have Leon Place back in the line-up after returning from abroad.

Amory is mindful that his opponents were victorious when they last met in limited overs competition, and states that they will be anxious to curtail the batting aggression of Arnold Manders, Dexter Smith and Jeff Richardson this time. "All three tend to go for their shots,'' he said.

But he claims that Devonshire are going to approach this overs game differently without disclosing his team's plan.

Open League leaders Western Stars will gladly have the spotlight focussed on the Bailey's Bay-Devonshire match tomorrow, as long as they are able to increase their lead at the top.

Stars lead second-placed Bay by seven points with three matches remaining. But while they should be favoured over Hamilton Parish at home, Bay face a tougher home match when they host champions Devonshire who are presently fifth in the standings and with a game in hand.

Third-placed Nationals take on a Southampton Rangers team in another interesting match while Willow Cuts, fourth, should maintain their push with a win over struggling St. David's.

Schedule: Willow Cuts v St. David's; Police v Somerset; Somerset Bridge v Warwick; St. George's v Social Club; Bailey's Bay v Devonshire Rec.; Flatts v Cleveland; Western Stars v Hamilton Parish; Southampton v Nationals.

The final two round of league matches on September 20 and 27 have been brought forward to 11 a.m. starts because of shortened daylight hours. The final hour of play will commence at 5.30 p.m.

TYRONE SMITH -- Smashed 119 not out in his last match.