ON paper they don't have they don't look as formidable as Western Stars, Southampton Rangers or St. David's.

But St. George's can never be ruled out as they showed last weekend with two major victories.

Going through a rebuilding season and fielding three 15-year-olds, the east enders managed to open their season with a victory over Southampton Rangers last Saturday. And to prove it wasn't a fluke, they followed that up with a thrilling one-wicket win over neighbours St. David's the next day.

Captain and coach Charlie Marshall watched both victories from the sidelines but will be back leading the team this weekend as they attempt to go 4-0 against Willow Cuts and Cleveland.

"As player-coach I witnessed both games this weekend and was very impressed with the senior players...skipper Gregg (Foggo), Herbie (Bascome), Eugene Foggo, Ryan Steede and Lewis Foggo and the new signing Wilbur Burt," said Marshall.

"Those guys guided the youngsters through and the support from the youngsters produced positive results. It was exciting to know they were able to capture two important wins like that."

Despite rebuilding Marshall thinks the team can still be competitive, as their two performances have already shown despite being understrength.

"I want to tell the other teams not to underestimate St. George's because we have some excellent talent in St. George's - Oronde Bascome, Jade' Foggo and Keevan Foggo and Detroy Smith," said Bascome.

"They are excited about playing cricket and are putting the time in. We're going to take one game at a time and just play sensible cricket."

St. George's have lost key senior players over the last couple of seasons, including Clay Smith, Dean Minors and Mackie Crane to St. David's, but they still remain top four contenders. But even in the post Wendell Smith era the team goes into every match still expecting to win. It was an attitude developed by the former captain and it was evident last weekend when defending two totals under 200.

Marshall warned about getting carried away, but certainly the two wins are a tremendous boost for the team.

"We're just making sure the youngsters stay on track and put the time in and they will go from strength to strength," Marshall assured.

"Even though we lost Gary Brangman, it's a boost to have Wilbur Burt. I've always admired his bowling and enthusiasm towards the game. Each senior player is responsible for mentoring a junior player, check on them to see how they are doing in school and make sure they have their gear together. This is something I've implemented for the season."

Jade' Foggo is a promising leg spinner and useful batsman and while he did not get the opportunity to bowl last weekend, Marshall promised his opportunities will come.

"He's an allrounder, and is going to be one of the junior players to look out for - he, Oronde and the rest of the youngsters," said Marshall.

"We have some good junior players and didn't have to go outside to look for players. We know we have a lot of talent in St. George's. Herbie is responsible for our junior programme and he lets me know what players are ready for the big league."

Matches are scheduled again for both Saturday and Sunday with Saturday's matches seeing Somerset hosting St. David's, Western Stars entertaining Cleveland, St. George's taking on Willow Cuts at St. David's and PHC at home to Southampton Oval at White Hill field.

The pick of the matches on Sunday should be the one at Southampton Oval between Belco Cup semi-finalists Southampton Rangers and Western Stars. Willow Cuts meet Somerset in a west end derby while PHC travel to St. David's and Cleveland play St. George's.

Weekend schedule

Saturday

Premier Division: Somerset v St. David's (Somerset); Western Stars v Cleveland (St. John's); St. George's v Willow Cuts (St. David's); PHC v Southampton Rangers (White Hill).

First Division: YMSC v Leg Trappers (venue to be announced); Flatts v Bailey's Bay (Sea Breeze Oval); Warwick v Somerset Bridge (Southampton Oval); Police v Devonshire Rec. (Police Field).

Sunday

Premier Division: Southampton Rangers v Western Stars (Southampton Oval); Willow Cuts v Somerset (Somerset); St. David's v PHC (St. David's); Cleveland v St. George's (St. John's Field).

First Division: Devonshire Rec. v YMSC (Devonshire); Leg Trappers v Warwick (Police Field); Bailey's Bay v Police (Sea Breeze Oval); Somerset Bridge v Flatts (White Hill). All games start at 12 noon.