At least two First Division clubs are struggling to field teams for the new cricket season which begins this Sunday.

Hamilton Parish and Somerset Bridge are both having problems getting players to commit to training and their participation this season remains in doubt.

However, Gladstone Brown, vice president of the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control, said yesterday he had been assured that both teams would be competing this season. The BCBC had a meeting scheduled for last night when the matter was to be discussed.

"Two weeks ago there was a question mark but from the contact we made we were assured they would be having teams,'' said Brown, who is standing in for president El James who is off the Island.

"I saw a list of Somerset Bridge players that they sent in to be registered, but one or two teams are struggling and I would not be surprised if they could not field teams.

"We need to know exactly what is happening and find out if there is anything we can do. The scheduling committee would need to know so that they can adjust the schedule.'' Hamilton Parish only returned to the league last season, but after only moderate success their best players such as Dennis Trott, Roderick Masters and Irving Burgess either returned to neighbours Bailey's Bay or joined nearby Flatts.

At a training session recently Flatts had about 20 players out and already they look to be one of the favourites for promotion.

That renewed interest has much to do with former Police player Dwayne Leverock, who plays in the Eastern Counties for Flatts, joining them as player-coach.

While some clubs are attracting good numbers, others have been slow in getting started.

"We don't have that surplus of players now and hopefully this can be eliminated with the junior programme in the next five years or so,'' said Brown, an ex-player with Devonshire Rec. who were once one of the powerhouses in local cricket.

A Hamilton Parish member confirmed yesterday that not much had been happening at their club as regards training.

"We're still trying to get something going and as of right now we don't have a team,'' said the source.

"We tried to get a team together but it looks real shaky right now,'' he said. "It's touch and go. I wouldn't bet on it.'' Somerset Bridge are finding it difficult to compete with clubs in the west end like Southampton Rangers, Somerset and Willow Cuts. Their players lost interest after they were defeated in the Western Counties and the team did not complete the 1997 season.

"There has been a struggle to assemble players,'' said one club source.

"Countless practice sessions have been scheduled but we have had only a moderate response. It looks like we might just be able to field a team this season, but only with the help of some senior players.'' Somerset Bridge are away to Somerset in their season opener on Sunday while Hamilton Parish meet PHC. Promotion favourites St. David's and Flatts meet in the division's top match while the other game sees Social Club playing Warwick.