World Squash Champion David Palmer and current world number three John White will be aiming to recreate one of the most dramatic matches the sport has ever seen next week.

The pair will be on the Island as part of the inaugural Docksiders World Class Exhibition. The event, on September 19, is a rematch of their World Open final clash in 2002.

The match was played in the breathtaking setting of the Old Handelsbeurs in Antwerp, Belgium, Palmer winning the title in the most dramatic fashion possible, coming from two games to love down and saving two match points to clinch victory from the jaws of defeat, 13-15, 12-15, 15-6, 15-14, 15-11 in 102 minutes.

Australian Palmer was granted Bermuda residency at the end of last year and was due to play in the Logic Bermuda Open in March. However, due to severe appendicitis on the eve of the tournament, he was forced to pull out and so next week's match gives Bermudians their first chance to see the star in action.

Palmer is the first Australian since 1997 to win the World Open title. The last, coincidentally, was another Bermuda resident, Rodney Eyles.

Palmer's opponent White, from Scotland, is unquestionably the form player at the moment. His recent titles include the coveted PSA Qatar Masters in May and the Prince English Open in August. Both tournaments featured the world's top four players and nine of the top ten.

The two players have not met since the World Open final and with both currently ranked two and three in the world it should be an extremely close contest.

"It was very easy to get them to play," said Ross Triffitt, Bermuda's director of squash. "Dave Palmer, being a resident, will do everything in his power to help the programme and help squash in Bermuda. John White, who has been out here a number of times, really loves it and was more than willing to come out. It was just a question of us being able to finance it and with Docksiders' involvement they have made it possible."

Triffitt said while the match might not be able to live up to the World Open tie, it was bound to be an exciting affair.

"Obviously, it's an exhibition and so does not hold the same weight as a world title," he said. "But the boys are very competitive. They are quite good friends and the bragging rights from winning in Bermuda will certainly hold some weight. I am sure they will both put in a good effort."

Preceding the main event there will be another rematch when Bermuda's Nick Kyme takes on Gary Plumstead in an attempt to avenge his recent four game loss in the Caribbean Championship final. Kyme and Plumstead are ranked one and two respectively in both Bermuda and the Caribbean.

Kyme, who has recently turned professional, had never taken a game from the BSRA squash professional Plumstead until the Caribbean Championship final where he went down fighting 4-9, 9-6, 4-9, 0-9.

Tickets for the event, which begins at 7.30 p.m., are available form the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association on Middle Road, Devonshire. For more details, call 292-6881.