On the face of it, today's Eastern Counties game at Sea Breeze Oval looks as one-sided as it is possible to get.

Premier Division St. David's have a team of 10 current or former internationals, and seven of them played in this year's Cup Match at Wellington Oval.

Meanwhile, opponents Flatts Victoria are a First Division side who will be relying on guest players Dwayne Leverock, Ryan Belboda and Nelson Bascome to help them make a game of it.

Not that the tie will be without interest. While holders St. David's are overwhelming favourites to retain their title, underdogs have a nasty habit of upsetting the odds, especially in one-off games.

Certainly Flatts skipper Kijuan Franks seems to think so, believing the holders' downfall may come from underestimating his team. And if the lesser lights of the Flatts side can support Leverock and Belboda, both proven match-winners, then a Flatts victory might not be completely out of the question.

The key may well lie in the moments before the game – the toss will be crucial. To bat or not to bat, that will be the question, and given St. David's line-up it appears to be a case of taking the lesser of two evils for Flatts.

With a side full of batting and little restriction on time, the Islanders could kill the game before it has started if they get into bat first. But Flatts will also be wary of being bowled out cheaply by a bowling line-up that includes Justin Pitcher, Angelo Cannonier and Delyone Borden.

More than likely the game will come down to a battle between the spinners. In one corner Borden and Del Hollis and in the other Leverock. A vintage performance from the Southampton Rangers player may be the only way Flatts will have a chance of wrestling the trophy from St. David's.

And it will be a nervous weekend for national coach Gus Logie as well. With a four-day Intercontinental Shield game against Uganda due to start on Monday, the Bermuda Cricket Board have left it up to the players to decide if they will represent their clubs this weekend or not.

St. David's trio Fiqre Crockwell, Chris Douglas and Justin Pitcher have all opted to play today, and with a national side already deprived of experienced players such as Stefan Kelly, Glenn Blakeney, and Borden, Logie can ill afford any further injuries.

There are also a string of Premier Division and First Division games tomorrow, including a clash between Bailey's Bay and St. David's at Sea Breeze that could include up to six of the team due to take the field for Bermuda on Monday.

Alongside Crockwell, Douglas and Pitcher, Bay have Irving Romaine, Stephen Douglas and Rodney Trott among their ranks. It is highly unlikely all six will play, but Logie would no doubt be happier if none of them did.

In the day's other Premier Division games Rangers take on Police, while Somerset host Young Men's Social Club.

First Division action sees Flatts travel to White Hill to face Somerset Bridge, Warwick travel to Devonshire Rec, and Leg Trappers host St Geroge's at Police Field.

Counties teams:

St David's: Delyone Borden (capt), Lionel Cann (v-capt), Angelo Cannonier, Fiqre Crockwell, Chris Douglas, Del Hollis, Chris Foggo, Landro Minors, Shea Pitcher, Justin Pitcher, OJ Pitcher.

Flatts Victoria: Kijuan Franks (capt), Regino Smith (v-capt), Phillip Burgess, Vernon Eve, Dwayne Leverock, Ryan Belboda, Barry Decouto, Logan Phillips, Isiah Lewis, Nelson Bascome, David Bedard. Reserves: Johnny Marion, Justin Paynter, Phillip Burgess Jr, Chae Woolridge.