captain of the cricket team.

Cann was reported in The Mid Ocean News as being on the verge of resigning his position, however yesterday club president Eddie Lamb confirmed that the talented all rounder would remain in the captain's role.

"We had a meeting last night (Thursday) with Lionel and discussed the issues affecting the programme,'' said Lamb, also an opening batsman for the team.

"I asked Lionel if he was considering resigning and he replied that he had contemplated submitting his resignation, but had reconsidered and was now willing to continue as captain.'' Lamb had no problem with Cann remaining, saying that it was no easy task to lead a team and that this was just a part of the growing process.

He added that Cann and Dale Fox, who was recently involved in a row over the latter's refusal to bowl and subsequent banishment from the field, had sorted out their differences as well.

"In my opinion the captaincy is a long term job and he has mine and the club's full support and commitment and I'm optimistic that he will do a sterling job as time goes on and he gains experience in the role.

"I think he is a leader and will develop into a first rate skipper.'' St. David's are at home tomorrow to Southampton Rangers with both teams seeking to improve in their mid-table positions.

Western Stars will be looking to advance to the final of the Central Counties Cup today and also hold onto the top spot in the Premier Division tomorrow in what should be another busy weekend for the St. John's Road club.

Stars are reported to be resting opener Treadwell Gibbons who has been suffering from a pinched nerve and replacing him with Cleon Scotland who, himself, is returning from injury. He had been unable to regain a spot while the team were enjoying a good run which took them to the top of the standings.

Just three points separate Stars from second-placed and defending champions Bailey's Bay who are away to third-placed Nationals in tomorrow's top match.

Nationals will soon have Darrin Lewis back in their ranks, as he has just returned from abroad, while the timing of Charlie Marshall's return from suspension could not have been better for Bay who have a tricky month coming up as they seek to retain both the league and Eastern Counties titles.

Marshall's first match of the season will be for St. George's today in a Cup Match trail at Wellington Oval against the Bermuda youth team.

After a match against PHC next weekend, champions Bailey's Bay close out their season with matches against St. George's and Western Stars. However, they cannot afford to take Nationals too lightly as their hosts have shown a marked improvement from last season when they returned to the league.

"I'm looking for Darrin to help us through to the end of the season,'' said Nationals captain Neil Speight. "He will add experience, talent and depth.

"It certainly gives us some sort of boost in our last five games of the season, particularly against Western Stars and Police in our last two games.

He's extremely useful to have around.'' Nationals are chasing a top eight finish and are in a good position to finish even higher than that. Much of their success has come down to their new signings and the return of some former players to go with those from last season.

"We have put some very different people together and we are proud of what we've done so far,'' said captain Neil Speight.

"Each year we're looking to grow and improve. The guys are going into games with a good sense of pride.'' Other matches tomorrow see Devonshire Rec. hosting Police and Cleveland meeting Somerset Bridge at Sea Breeze Oval.

Ritchie Foggo will try to spoil the title aspirations of his former team when Warwick take on St. George's at Southampton Oval while the other matches see Social Club taking on Willow Cuts at Wellington Oval and PHC at home to Flatts at White Hill.

Weekend umpires: Central Counties: Western Stars v Devonshire (W.Pitcher, L.Tyrell) Premier Division: Somerset v Western Stars (F.Gilbert, W.Woolridge); Devonshire v Police (D.Raynor, W.Manders); Warwick v St. George's (W.Pitcher, G.Trott); St. David's v Southampton (G.Francis, M.Smith); Social Club v Willow Cuts (M.McGowan, L.Tyrell); PHC v Flatts (R.O'Hara, E.Davis); Nationals v Bailey's Bay (R.Butler, L.Harnett); Cleveland v Somerset Bridge (J.Pitcher, E.Marsh).

LIONEL CANN