Janeiro Tucker's new-look Southampton Rangers will face their biggest hurdle of the season when they lay their Belco Cup crown on the line this weekend.

Rangers have dominated the competition in recent years, winning four of the previous five finals including last year's clash against tomorrow's semi-final opponents, Young Men's Social Club, to equal St.George's' record for the most consecutive wins (three).

Having departed company with left-arm spinner Dwayne Leverock, opening bat Curtis Jackson and quickie Traddie Simpson, Tucker knows the three-time defending champions have their work cut out for them. But despite losing these key figures Rangers have discovered a winning formula which has sees them undefeated in 50-overs league play so far.

It's a positive trend Tucker hopes to see continue over the next two days, beginning with tomorrow's Belco Cup semi-final against Social Club at Lords. St.David's and St.George's will do battle in tomorrow's other semi-final at Somerset Cricket Club.

Rangers beat Social Club by one-wicket in an enthralling battle last month and so both teams will be familiar with each other when they lock horns for the right to advance to Sunday's final at Lords.

"We already now Social Club are going to be up for the task and how they're going to play," Tucker said. "But we are going to approach the match as we do any other ¿ taking things step by step.

"We are going to take things one game at a time. We are going to deal with Saturday's game first and then if we make it to the finals, we will deal with Sunday. But right now we are dealing with Social Club and not even looking as far as Sunday."

Rangers' grip on the Belco Cup - formerly known as the Premier Cup and Camel Cup - might have loosened somewhat with the departues of Leverock, Jackson and Simpson. But don't mention that to Tucker who believes the trio's absence might be a blessing in disguise.

"We have a new team and probably half of our players have never played in the Belco Cup before," the top all-rounder said. "But the new guys have adapted well. Shannon (Raynor) has been a big asset, he's a good all-round player while Gerald (Simons) makes runs here and there.

"Overall, I think we have a more balanced team compared to last year. And as a whole I think we are playing pretty good cricket right now."

As defending champions, expectations will be high for Southampton. Tucker, however, is adamant there's no pressure on his team who he believes can be successful over the weekend if they continue executing the fundamentals on the pitch that have brought them success up to this point.

"There isn't any pressure on us because we are just going to play our normal game," he added. "We are going to try and win and I think our chances are good because the guys really understand the way I want them to play.

"The players have responded really well to what has been requested of them in the past few weeks. It's actually easier to coach these guys because they are younger and listen more. Therefore, the players who left us may have been a blessing in disguise."