In less than two seasons as coach of St.George?s, George Cannonier has already experienced both the best and worst of times.

After breaking ranks at nearby Lords, Cannonier and St.George?s soared to great heights last season, clinching the Premier Division Two-Day League and Knockout Cup double at the first attempt.

However, the East End outfit have struggled so far this campaign, managing just one limited overs triumph over Bailey?s Bay in May while a lack of concentration at the crease, ineffective bowling coupled by off field distractions have not helped the club?s cause.

Now, seven days after suffering a humiliating 172-run Belco Cup semi-final defeat against arch rivals St.David?s, Cannonier and St.George?s will have to quickly regroup when they open the defence of their Two-Day league title against Willow Cuts today at Wellington Oval.

St.George?s defeated Cuts during last season?s Knockout Cup final at Southampton Oval.

The East Enders will welcome Gregg Foggo back into the team, but veteran all-rounder Herbie Bascome has taken over the captaincy on a temporary basis.

Although Cannonier concedes the going has been frustrating so far, he remains optimistic his team?s fortunes will eventually change for the better ? hopefully as early as this weekend.

St.George?s have now lost three matches on the trot.

?It is a big challenge . . . trying to change the players? frame of mind and bring an end to our current losing streak. But I realise as coach you have to encourage and motivate the guys and we have been preparing for this match. And we are not taking anything for granted against Willow Cuts,? Cannonier told .

But if St.George?s are to get the defence of their title off to a solid start, then everyone will have to play their roles, noted Cannonier.

Foggo?s return will no doubt restore some degree of confidence in the team?s bowling attack while early order bat Sinclair Gibbons will be looking to pick up where he left off against the Islanders at Somerset Cricket Club. The veteran player led his team?s batting with an aggressive 65 in a losing cause.

?I was very happy for Sinclair. His confidence is up and it was good to see him dig in at the crease,? said Cannonier.

The coach now hopes his bowlers can follow Gibbons? example and make the most out of playing in the familiar settings at Wellington Oval.

?I think playing at home will make a difference and if there?s an advantage then it is playing at home,? Cannonier added. ?I?m sure they will redeem themselves in some way and if we can get this first victory under our belts then I?m confident we can go on from there.?

Helping to lift the team?s morale in training this week was national coach Gus Logie.

?We had the national coach (Logie) come down and lecture the players,? said Cannonier. ?He explained to the players three important aspects of the game required to be successful while I?ve also been working diligently with the team. But it is now just a matter of keeping them motivated.?

St.George?s were handed the Two-Day league title on a silver platter after St.David?s failed to show up for a bowl-off at Somerset Cricket Club late last fall. The first encounter at Wellington Oval fell victim to heavy rain.

Elsewhere over the weekend, newly-crowned Belco Cup champions Southampton Rangers host last week?s beaten finalists St.David?s at Southampton Oval in what will be the second of three successive meetings, with Social Club hosting another team that seems to have lost their way, Western Stars, at Devonshire Recreation Club and Bailey?s Bay and Devonshire locking horns at Sea Breeze Oval.

In First Division play, Flatts host red-hot Warwick at Lords, Somerset Bridge take on tenants PHC at White Hill Field, Police welcome Leg Trappers to Police Field while Somerset host Cleveland at Somerset Cricket Club.

All matches begin at 10 a.m.