David's are yet hoping that a similar approach will trigger a reversal of fortunes in today's Eastern Counties final at Sea Breeze Oval (10 a.m.).

Skipper in last year's Eastern Counties Cup final, when Bay romped to what was ultimately an emphatic victory at Sea Breeze Oval, Islanders' vice-captain Lionel Cann -- he was named to the post on Thursday -- reckons that the only way to deflate the champions is to attack.

"We have a lot of fighters in the team. Truthfully speaking, we actually could have picked any team to beat Bailey's Bay,'' intimated the young allrounder of a squad that has been strengthened considerably by the addition of Albert Steede of Western Stars and colt Gregg Foggo from St. George's.

"I would like to see us win the toss and bat and put up a nice total like 250 by 2p.m. and then attack and put pressure on them. We have fighters with lots of experience mixed with a couple of youngsters. We are capable of pulling off victory,'' Cann said.

When reminded of the hiding received last year under his leadership after St.

David's had a good start and were able to declare at 2.39 p.m., with 194 runs for eight wickets, Cann -- his team's top scorer with 46 -- did concede that he did underestimate Bay, but suggested that taking similar risks could turn out profitable this time.

Led by a spirited fightback by Charlie Marshall (66 not out) and Noel Gibbons (45 not out), Bailey's Bay responded with 196 for three to pull of a scintillating victory.

"Yes, I remember that,'' recalled Cann. "We had a very good team and were in a good position. But we lost because we declared early in order to make a game out of it. It was a learning process you may say, but we are going all out for it again this year that's for sure.'' He said that while he was uncertain how the wicket would play, word is that it will probably be a good batting strip once again. And if this was the case then he hoped St. David's would bat first.

"We have a team capable of doing so many things, it's well balanced and deep in both batting and bowling. We are capable of beating anybody, but as you know having capabilities is different from getting the job done on the field and we have to bear this in mind,'' he noted.

While St. David's batting looks sound enough to get them to a respectable total, it remains to be seen if their bowling, which clearly looked inept last year, will be sufficiently boosted by the addition of medium pacer Foggo alone.

Cann himself received a boost after arriving home from Scotland this week where he is coached by former Bermuda great Clarence Parfitt. He said that he was surprised to be named vice-captain, admitting that it was a sign of their confidence in him.

Del Hollis, also in St. David's line-up, plays for a nearby club in Scotland and has likewise had a great deal of help from Parfitt as far as bowling is concerned.

Both have been bowling exceptionally well in Scotland in recent weeks and while Cann is keen to see Hollis introduce his new spin deliveries he recognised that they will both have to make adjustments on the local wickets.

"We've both done well in bowling in Scotland, but getting wickets there on grass strips where the ball swings and cuts a lot will be different than bowling on the clay wickets here. Perhaps if it is an overcast day at Sea Breeze the ball will do a bit of moving,'' said Cann whose batting could also hold the key.

"My batting has been real good here lately, you may say I have been in top form. I actually hope to bat as high as number three against Bay.

"As I see it we will be chasing after quick runs and everybody knows that I can bat in that manner or do whatever requires me to do at any particular time.'' St. David's captain Allen Richardson will be playing for the final time in the competition after confirming this week his intention to retire at the end of the season.

Teams St. David's: Allen Richardson (capt), Lionel Cann (vice-capt), Shea Pitcher, James Pace, Albert Steede, Phillip Pitcher, Del Hollis, Reginald Pitcher, Greg Foggo (colt), Herbie Bascome, Kameron Fox. 12th man Sammy Robinson. Res: Chris Foggo, Rudell Pitcher, Shannon Raynor.

Bailey's Bay: Ricky Hill (capt), Roger Trott (vice -capt), Glenn Smith, Charlie Marshall, Noel Gibbons, Anthony Braithwaite, Clarkie Trott, Corey Hill, Irving Burgess, Devrae Hollis, Dennis Pilgrim. Res: Cal Dill, Steven Outerbridge St. George's will be holding training sessions for their Premier Division team tomorrow, starting at 10.30 a.m., as w ell as Tuesday and Thursday, commencing at 6.00 p.m.

LAST STAND -- St. David's captain Allen Richardson who will be retiring after today's Eastern Counties final