their first Camel Cup win, have their sights set on going all the way in the sixth annual competition this weekend.

This competition, which started in 1987 and was played the first two years (1985-86) as the Premier Cup involving the top four teams in the standings from the previous season, has quickly grown in stature to become one of the highlight competitions on the local cricket scene.

In the five years it has been played there have been just two winners, with Devonshire Rec. winning in 1987 and again last year and St. George's the three years in between.

The fortunes of Police and Stars is worth noting, with Police having lost in the four semifinals they have played between 1987 and 1990 while Stars have reached the last two finals only to lose to St. George's in 1990 and Devonshire last year.

Stars, still unbeaten this season, will go into Saturday's semifinals as slight favourites if one were to take Police's Camel Cup record into consideration.

Last weekend's surprise 110-run home loss to Cleveland might suggest some vulnerability in the Police team, but captain Ferdinand Thorne thinks they can bounce back from that first loss of the season.

"The team is pretty determined despite the loss last week, which seems to be a blessing in disguise,'' Thorne said. "The loss has made the guys pay attention and once we play at the level we should play in all three departments, batting, bowling and fielding, we should do well.'' Thorne, after losing the Central Counties trophy last year in his first season as skipper, is determined to bring his first piece of silverware to the club -- and the Camel Cup would do nicely.

"This could be my first cup as skipper, so it would mean a lot to me,'' Thorne said yesterday.

"The game is going to be a very competitive game. The teams are evenly matched though I think we have a better batting line-up.

"My main concern is our fielding, which is a very important part of the game.

If I get the support from my players in all the departments it should be a good game.'' Stars will be missing opening batsman Anthony Foggo who has a hand injury that will keep him out of action for three weeks while middle-order batsman Jeff Richardson will be missing if the team should reach Sunday's final as he is in a wedding.

Last year they were without brothers Anthony and Arnold Manders for the final with Devonshire Rec., as their sister was marrying Somerset all-rounder Perry Maybury that same day.

Even so, Stars came desperately close to pulling off victory in the highest-scoring match in the competition, going down by 25 runs in a match that produced 581 to beat the 509 runs Stars and St. George's scored in the 1989 semifinal at Devonshire Rec.

In last year's final, Albert Steede scored the tournament's first ton, 117 not out in leading Devonshire to 303 for five from 48 overs. Stars' Dexter Smith was desperately unlucky not to join Steede in that exclusive `ton club' as he hit 90 to keep his team in search of victory.

Stars captain Gary Brangman said dropped catches cost them in the end as Albert Steede was put down twice, first on nine and then again in the 60s before reaching his century.

Brangman will not be looking too far ahead to Sunday's final for he knows, and respects, the strength of Police. "Their batting is certainly their strength,'' said Brangman yesterday.

"I think we have a good chance but we have to dominate either the whole three portions of the game, batting, bowling and fielding, or at least two portions,'' the skipper said.

Brangman admits Devonshire Rec is not one of his team's favourite stomping grounds, having lost to St. George's in the 1989 semifinal there. "What we have to do is try to ease that pressure and get rid of that omen,'' said Brangman.

He will lead an attack, which has been boosted by the signing of Dwayne Steede from Southampton Rangers to go with Allan Brangman and Roger Leverock while Arnold Manders and Wayne Richardson will do the brunt of the slow bowling, always a difficult task on the small confines of the Rec.

"As far as getting past their batting we have to bowl and field well,'' added Brangman. "And if we bat first we need to bat really well. We're fielding and bowling exceptionally well but our batting is hurting us.'' FERDINAND THORNE -- Looking for first title at the helm of Police.

GARY BRANGMAN -- Stars' captain.