THE Pomander Gate Toyota Open is valiantly trying to catch up on matches rained out over a three and half day period -- the schedule finally got off as planned on Saturday morning at 11.00, much to the relief of the tournament committee.

In men's singles action top seeded Michael Way looks on course for a meeting with third seed Sam Maybury while Ricky Mallory's path to the final looks less rocky because of second seed Donald Evans' default -- Evans did not return to the island because of personal reasons. However Mallory will not have a walkover to the final -- in the semis he will most likely face fifth seed Steve Bean, who will surely make it a battle for the final berth.

In the ladies's singles, top-seeded Claire Smith, back to tournament play after an absence of six years at Pomander Gate, would like her name back on the winners board -- she had a four year run from 1982 to 1985, before she decided to globe trot.

Her main rival will be second seed Donna Bradshaw, the current champion, who is bidding for a fourth successive Pomander Gate title. It's great that the spotlight will fall on the ladies final this year, instead of being focused on the men.

In the men's doubles, the final on Sunday should be a clash of the top seeds.

No. 1s Steve Bean and Ricky Mallory look strong for a finals berth against No.

2 seeds the brothers Michael and Brian Way.

Again the ladies doubles, usually overshadowed by the men's doubles event, will provide spectators with plenty of excitement this year. New teams, untried and tested will fight for the title -- No. 1 seeds Claire Smith and Kim Simmons look tough to beat but will be challenged by No. 2 seeds Donna Bradshaw and Judy Siddle, while No. 3 and 4 seeds Shelly Eve and Laverne Jones and Debbie Darrell and Suzette Edmead will be going for the upsets. Always interesting, the mixed doubles event promises some surprises. No.1 seed Sheila Gomez and Steve Bean will have stiff opposition from Ricky Mallory and Kim Simmons, while second seeds Claire Smith and Monty Nearon will have to get past Continued on page 21 Match Points From page 19.

Allison Mallory and Paul Towlson for a finals place -- waiting in the wings are 5th seeds Donna Bradshaw and Tony Readwin just itching to cause an upset.

The men's B Singles with a great entry of 74 men is wide open -- finals for the event and the ladies B will be played on Monday.

Tournament chairman Marge Way is praying for sunshine and planning Sunday finals for the men's singles, ladies singles and men's doubles events. The Queen's Birthday holiday on Monday has offered another day for the ladies doubles and mixed doubles finals to be played.

The BLTA is now preparing for the second phase of the trials for players who will be representing Bermuda in the Pan Am Games held in Cuba this August.

Alec Anderson goes into Group I having won the Group II Round Robin tournament held over the past few weekends.

Group I will start their round robin playoffs on June 29. The group of six players which includes Billy Way, Michael Way, Ricky Mallory, Donald Evans, Sam Maybury and now Alec Anderson, will be divided into two groups -- each group playing a round robin.

The two winners from each group will then go into a final round robin to decide the winner. The written rules used by Group II will be followed for the first two round robins but the last four- man playoff will have slightly changed retrogression rules, which have not yet been finalised.

Meanwhile a prior commitment may prevent Sam Maybury competing in Cuba if he qualifies, and if he withdraws, Steve Bean would take his place.

The playoffs will again take place at the Southampton Princess courts to prepare palyers for the similar hard surface they will play on in Cuba.