Challengers Somerset, forced into five changes to their team because of injury, suspension or unavailability, made a bold sixth replacement to their Cup Match team on the weekend.

The west enders left out veteran opening batsman Treadwell Gibbons and included four colts among their changes.

Coming in for what will be their first appearances are batsmen Sammy Robinson of St David's and Irving Romaine of Bailey's Bay, wicketkeeper Kwame Tucker of Southampton Rangers and Willow Cuts opening bowler Charles Swan. Recalled after four years is St. David spinner Del Hollis.

Team: Dexter Basden (capt), Albert Steede (vice capt), Janeiro Tucker, Dwayne Leverock, Del Hollis, Hasan Durham, Sammy Robinson (colt), Irvine Romaine, Kwame Tucker (colt), Charles Swan (colt), Kevin Fubler. Res: Leon Place, Steval Mendes.

Somerset's selectors spent some three hours with their deliberations as they tackled the tough task of replacing five players -- Roger Trott, Richard Basden, Corey Hill, Kevin Hurdle and Andre Manders. But even the loss of Basden and Manders, their two most experienced batsmen, did not deter the selectors from axing Gibbons as they made the move to include some new faces.

Two years ago when Somerset dethroned St. George's at Somerset, Gibbons became the event's oldest colt at 39. At 41 it would appear his Cup Match career is now over after two appearances.

Few of the players were convincing during the final trial as the President's XI went down to a five wicket loss after scoring just 121 in two-and-a-half hours.

Gibbons batted 31 minutes for 12 runs which included three fours. He was second out in the eighth over when the score was 17 and by the 18th over half the team were out with the score on 67-5.

Captain Dexter Basden tried to hold his team's innings together with a top score of 41 from eight boundaries while Del Hollis batted patiently for 25 not out in the tailend.

Leon Place, who last year tried for a place in the St. George's team, claimed three for 15 from eight overs while openers Mark Trott and Denzil Dill both had two wickets each from 10 overs. Trott was the costlier, giving up 41 runs while Dill conceded 18 runs and had five maidens.

Irving Romaine picked himself with a knock of 53 as the Vice President's XI wrapped up victory by 4.35 p.m. Romaine stroked nine fours and two sixes before being called in by his captain Albert Steede and Sammy Robinson improved his chances with 23 not out.

Opener Steede batted for 73 minutes for his one run as he tried to extend the game.

There was little to choose among the President's XI bowlers, none of whom took more than one wicket. Though Garry Williams had an economical 10 over spell which yielded 17 runs and earned one wicket, the selectors opted for Charles Swan to fill Hurdle's spot. Swan returned one for 39 from 8.4 overs.

Charles Swan Kwame Tucker Del Hollis