League champions St. George's will have a score to settle when they travel to Royal Naval Field tomorrow to meet Willow Cuts for the second time this season.

Cuts beat the defending Knockout Cup champions in that competition's first round three weeks ago by one run under controversial circumstances. So both teams will go into the match with something to prove.

St. George's have lodged an official appeal on the grounds that umpire McDonald Swan incorrectly informed batsman Eugene Foggo that just one delivery was left when in fact two balls remained, with St. George's needing two runs.

"There was some controversy when we beat them by one run but the truth is that we have always done well against them at the Royal Naval field,'' said Willow Cuts captain Dexter Basden this week.

"This is why I am optimistic going up against them again this time. We definitely want to prove that beating them in the knockout wasn't just luck.

We want to win this one in order to keep close to Bailey's Bay in the league.'' Unless St. George's succeed in their appeal and have the match replayed, the League and Knockout Cup champions will not be able to match their accomplishment last year of winning two trophies. Already they have failed in their quest for the Camel Cup, so it all hinges on the league which they won in fine style last season.

Cuts, too, lost their latest match when Western Stars beat them at St. John's field. That defeat leaves them in third place while St. George's are fourth on 42 and 41 points respectively. "It's an interesting match-up with both of us coming off defeats,'' said Basden. "I know that they will be just as determined as us to get back on the winning track. I am hoping our loss will help us to get back on our feet. "After our good start there were some who figured we couldn't be beaten, now we have been. We now have to dig deeper if we want to win the league which has always been our goal.'' The West Enders started the season as one of the dark horses for the league title, having boosted their squad with new signings. The captain knows what it will take to make a strong bid.

"What Willow Cuts need is mental toughness and I have told our players that,'' said Basden. "Our batting and bowling has been pretty good, it's the mental side of our game that needs to show continued improvement.

"We will be fielding one of our strongest teams on Sunday with wicket-keeper Andre Hendrickson playing his first game of the season and Gladwin Edness returning after missing three games with a groin injury.'' League leaders Bailey's Bay remain the only unbeaten team this season and that record will extend to next week as the new Camel Cup champions have a bye tomorrow. Expect to see them showing off the Camel Cup at different grounds.

The other big match is at Devonshire Rec. where the fifth and sixth place teams in the standings meet for the second straight week.

Western Stars came out on top seven days ago when they beat Devonshire to advance to the final of the Camel Cup before losing to Bailey's Bay.

However, things could be different this time as Devonshire seek revenge. Also, at home they are usually difficult to beat, though Stars should be slight favourites.

Even though Bay have the weekend off, they will not lose their top spot.

However, the 19 points separating them from Police and Willow Cuts should be reduced, if not by Cuts then certainly by Police who travel to meet PHC.

In fact, with just five points separating Police and Cuts from Cleveland in mid-table, some reshuffling could go on at the close of play tomorrow evening.

Cleveland are favoured over Warwick at Sea Breeze Oval while Somerset get the nod over Social Club at St. John's. In the other matches Southampton will be looking to move out of the bottom third of the standings when they take on mid-table Flatts while Nationals are at home to St. David's and Hamilton Parish host Somerset Bridge at Wellington Oval.

DEXTER BASDEN -- He and Willow Cuts have set their sights high this season.