The moment of truth has arrived for St.George's Cup Match hopeful Justin Pitcher who must convince the East Enders he is fit enough to represent them in next week's classic during today's final trial match at Wellington Oval.

The St.David's all-rounder has not played a competitive match since late June after suffering a side strain in a league match against Southampton Rangers at Lords.

However, the 22-year-old cricketer has made a steady recovery and had been considered for selection to St.David's' Eastern Counties squad that defeated Cleveland County by 91 runs at Sea Breeze Oval last weekend.

"I tried to get him to play in the county game but he declined because he didn't want to push himself too far. He wants to be ready for Cup Match and has been working with his physio (Craig Brown)," commented former St.George's coach George Cannonier.

Prior to injuring himself, the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) High Performance player – who was a reserve for St.George's in last year's classic that ended in stalemate at Somerset Cricket Club – had been in good form with both bat and ball and seemingly destined to walk straight into the champions' team this year.

Pitcher has been named in the Vice-President's XI for today's final trial at Wellington Oval.

"If Justin is firing on all cylinders I think he will be a terror because he has really done well this season," added Cannonier. "He never stopped training with us and I would think he is back to full fitness by now."

Meanwhile, another Islander the St.George's' selectors will run the rule over in today's match is fast bowler George O'Brien jr who missed last year's match through national team commitments in Ireland.

O'Brien claimed three for 35 in St.David's' recent Eastern Counties conquest of Cleveland but was called for a series of front foot no balls, including four in a single over.

"I don't know what the problem was because I have never really known George to over step like that," Cannonier said.

The fiery paceman bowled just nine overs before leaving the pitch for good, fuelling speculation that he has yet to fully recover from a knee injury suffered in South Africa during last April's ICC World Cup qualifiers.

Cannonier, however, claimed O'Brien is injury free and, as such, is ready to be considered for Cup Match selection.

"He hasn't lost any of his pace and as far as I am concerned he doesn't have any injuries," he maintained.

Also of interest in today's final trials at opposite ends of the Island will be the final whereabouts of precious commodities Landro Minors and Deunte Darrell.

Both players have been included in Somerset's and St.George's' Cup Match plans this year with Minors having already taken part in preparations at both ends of the Island.

Darrell was a reserve for Somerset last year and recently represented Bermuda Under-19s in the Americas Championships in Canada while Minors is fresh off a maiden Eastern Counties century (128 not out).

Somerset all-rounder, Sammy Robinson, has made himself unavailable this year.

n Southampton Rangers will look to gain ground on idle Premier Division leaders St.David's when they travel to Sea Breeze Oval tomorrow to take on cellar dwellars Cleveland County while Young Men's Social Club and PHC will do battle at Devonshire Rec in this weekend's remaining top flight match.

In First Division play, leaders Willow Cuts should come away victorious over Flatts at Lords while Warwick should not pose any serious threat to St.George's at St.John's Field.

Promotion-chasing Devonshire, the sole remaining unbeaten team in the league, will be favoured to come away with the goods against Somerset Bridge at White Hill Field.