The visiting Leeward Islands close out their short tour of Bermuda this weekend -- weather permitting -- when they take on the BCBC President's XI today at Wellington Oval and the Bermuda National team tomorrow at Lord's in St. David's.

The two 50-over matches start at 11 a.m., with today's match being threatened by the passing of Hurricane Hortense which forecasters predict will bring high winds and rain as it passes the local area this morning.

Even though the Leewards are not at their strongest because of the unavailability of those players currently in England, they should provide a good test for the Bermuda team as they prepare for their entry into the Shell/Sandals tournament next month in Guyana.

After blasting 258 off a weakened Somerset bowling attack on Thursday on their way to a 100-run win, there is every indication the tourists are also taking the tour seriously. And it will be interesting to see how they cope against spin bowling, having taken a liking to Somerset's seamers.

Andre Manders, only a part time bowler, was one of the most economical of the local bowlers on Thursday, giving up 37 in seven overs of off-spin.

And with three spinners in the Bermuda squad for the two matches, the slow bowling could be a key weapon against the free scoring Leewards batsmen.

One of the Bermuda spinners, vice captain Arnold Manders, watched the match against Somerset, and no doubt would have made some mental notes. With the spin being the bowling strength for Bermuda, Manders, Bruce Perinchief and Kameron Fox will do a large share of the bowling. Gregg Foggo is unavailable while the intention earlier in the week was to rest Roger Blades. Kevin Hurdle had been brought into the squad for today.

Certainly the Leewards are anxious to win every match. That was evident from the outset on Thursday as century-maker Stuart Williams and Merlin Liburd attacked from the outset against Garry Williams and Janeiro Tucker, blasting 42 off the first five overs and reaching the first 50 at faster than a run a ball.

"This a two-fold situation, Bermuda is preparing for the ICC and they are now in the Shell/Sandals also, and we are in the Shell/Sandals so we are getting practice and they are getting practice,'' said the Leewards manager Everton Richardson yesterday.

With a target of 7.4 runs an over looking too steep for a batting side that was missing Cup Match hero Albert Steede, Somerset did make a spirited fightback as Roger Trott led the way with 57 not out after Treadwell Gibbons hit a positive 34.

"I thought their bowling was not the strongest, really, and even in the batting in parts, but I understand a few of the regular players were not playing,'' said Richardson.

The manager expects the biggest test to come from the Bermuda squad this weekend as today's President's team will be chosen from the squad for the trip to Guyana. Albert Steede will captain both teams, with Glenn Smith and Clay Smith opening the batting.

"I know for a fact the competition over the weekend is going to be much stronger but as always we will give it our best shot and take it from there,'' Richardson promised.

"This is serious business, it might be a friendly game but there is nothing friendly about being in the sun all day.'' One of their brightest young prospects, Sylvester Joseph -- no relation to captain Dave Joseph -- will be on show in at least one of the matches as will batsman Alex Adams of Anguilla who also missed the Somerset match.

Joseph, at 17, is the youngest member of the squad.

"He is a very good prospect as you might be aware,'' said the manager. "He has represented the West Indies in under 19 competition, touring Pakistan, and is currently a member of the Antigua senior team and has already broken into the Leeward Islands team and he has an exciting future.

"This is good exposure for some of the young players to travel this far to a different country and it will augur well for the future for them.'' STUART WILLIAMS -- The Leewards opener smashed 125 off Somerset's attack on Thursday and will be hoping to feast on Bermuda's bowlers again in this weekend's final two tour matches.