their character in a home match against Bailey's Bay after last weekend's big defeat at St. George's.

Devonshire were bundled out for a paltry 86 after limiting St. George's to 160 for nine on a tricky Wellington Oval strip and now Albert Steede's men tackle the side many feel are the strongest in the Premier Division in tomorrow's feature clash.

For Bay, this should be their first real test after Hamilton Parish and Cleveland fell by the wayside in one-sided results.

What makes the Sea Breeze Oval side more dangerous is the long-awaited return to form of skipper Chris Smith who has carried his bat for 146 runs in two matches thus far.

The return of Terry Burgess from Hamilton Parish strengthens their bowling attack and the home side could be in for a mean time if Anthony Braithwaite is available after missing the start through injury.

"I am pretty confident going into this game but we are still not at full strength,'' said Smith yesterday. "Braithwaite might be available for Sunday but at present it is up in the air.'' Certainly unavailable is Ricky Hill who is off the Island but with 39 not out against Parish and 107 against Cleveland, skipper Smith has more than adequately filled the void at the opening bat position.

"I am quite pleased with my own form right now,'' he added. "I'm not going to take Devonshire lightly because they lost to St. George's last week; I just feel it's our turn.'' Devonshire, who have a tough opening schedule, can ill afford another setback at this early stage of the season. But they will surely have their work cut out for them against a batting-deep Bay squad for whom neither Glenn Smith, Charlie Marshall nor Noel Gibbons have hit top form yet. The pick of the rest of the schedule sees St. David's hosting Willow Cuts, Somerset taking on Police and revitalised Hamilton Parish playing champions Western Stars.

St. David's are smarting from successive losses to open their campaign, hardly the way new skipper James Pace expected to start. This match should see the return of fast bowler Dale Fox from a wrist injury and that could be what they need to swing the match.

Otherwise, 1992 runners-up Cuts look to be favoured with fast-medium Rodney Fubler and skipper Dexter Basden already in good form.

The match at Somerset should provide Police with their first opposition of the season after 10-wicket wins over Warwick (27) and Social Club (71) that added to the ridicule of having teams of such wide-ranging ability in the same league together.

Unfortunately, Somerset may need heroics from skipper Perry Maybury if they are to challenge the league's quality teams. The west-enders, at an early glance, look a little short on experience and their batting depth is questionable with Davon Wade having to fill in at opener with Dwight Basden out injured.

Parish are bubbling after last week's win over Flatts. This weekend's opponents will be markedly tougher but if the strip at Wellington Oval remains predictably unpredictable, they could run the champions close -- until they bat.

Southampton and St. George's should have no trouble maintaining their perfect starts with matches against PHC and Social Club respectively, while elsewhere Warwick face Somerset Bridge and Cleveland meet Flatts.