with 54 company teams entered for the event which gets underway tonight at the Devonshire Courts.

While the defending champions are absent, making their return are the 1994 champion threesome of Tony Prentice, Naz Jetha and Tim Viney, now known as BPSA Simbas. Also returning are Phil Spencer, Val Protheroe and Trish Ashton, collectively Phil's Phillies, who won the plate event a year ago.

Rules of the tournament dictate that each team field three players per match, with each being allocated handicaps. Each plays three American-scoring games to 15 points against his or her opposite string.

The tournament will operate under a knockout system with a plate event for first match losers.

Matches will take place from Tuesday through Friday, starting at 6 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday at 10.00 a.m.

The tournament is sponsored by A.F. Smith.