Ricky Hill, the former Bermuda opening batsman, will mastermind Somerset's bid to wrestle the coveted Cup Match trophy from champions St.George's at Wellington Oval next month.

In what is believed to have been an unprecedented move, Hill has been appointed as coach of Somerset's Cup Match team over league coach Ricky Hoyte.

The ex-Bailey's Bay specialist wicketkeeper/batsman comes highly recommended for the job as he is a certified England and Wales Cricket Board Level Two coach who has represented Somerset in the Cup Match classic.

Earlier this month Somerset hierarchy controversially appointed Hoyte as the club's league coach over Hill despite the latter possessing higher coaching credentials.

Yet even then Somerset Cricket Club president Richard Scott suggested Hill would still play an important role at his club despite being snubbed for the job he originally applied for.

"Mr Hill will be involved at the club in a totally different capacity that I am not prepared to divulge at this particular moment," Scott told The Royal Gazette back then.

He also confirmed that Hoyte, grandson of legendary former West Indies Test player Sir Everton Weeks, will serve as the club's league coach for the remainder of the season and that his appointment had been approved by his executive although others at the West End club begged to differ.

"Our executive appoints all employees and we hired Mr Hoyte," said Scott.

"Mr Hoyte and Somerset Cricket Club have an agreement regarding his position which I think is definitely understood by both parties."

In any case, it is believed Somerset's decision to have separate coaches for their league and Cup Match programmes is a first.

Hill will now oversee his side's preparations for July's classic in the East End where Somerset lost the cup in 2005 in a heated low-scoring affair that saw tempers on opposing sides boil over.

Meanwhile, Premier and First Division Limited Overs play continues this weekend.

Today sees title-chasing St.David's and Southampton Rangers squaring off in the first of back-to-back matches at Lords, PHC host two-time defending champions Young Men's Social Club at White Hill Field, Police are at home to struggling Cleveland while Somerset welcome Bailey's Bay to Somerset Cricket Club.

There are also three First Division Limited Overs matches on tap today with Devonshire taking on Western Stars at Devonshire Rec., St.George's doing battle with Flatts at Wellington Oval and Warwick hosting Somerset Bridge at St.John's Field.

Premier Division limited overs cricket then continues tomorrow with Southampton Rangers and St.David's facing off for the second time in –24 hours at Southampton Oval, Police taking on Social Club at Police Field and Cleveland hosting PHC at Sea Breeze Oval.

Tomorrow's First Division schedule has Willow Cuts pitted against Somerset Bridge at Somerset Cricket Club, Flatts up against Devonshire at Lords and Western Stars hosting Leg Trappers at St.John's Field.

nCleveland County all-rounder, Allan Douglas jr, has received a two -match suspension for breaching Bermuda Cricket Board's code of conduct during a recent Premier Division match.

Douglas pleaded guilty to two separate charges of standing his ground after being given out leg before and use of profanity towards a match official during his team's June 21 league match with Southampton Rangers at Southampton Oval.

A disciplinary committee found him guilty on both counts and originally imposed a three-match ban which was reduced to two after taking into account the remorse Douglas had demonstrated to the umpires after the game.