Through the decades, perennial rivals St.George's and St.David's have battled in one of the fiercest rivalries in domestic cricket.

And this weekend's Bermuda Cricket Board Two-Day League title-decider promises to be no different as the two East End clubs bid for supremacy at Wellington Oval.

Heading into today's final both St.George's and St.David's possess identical records of two wins and a single draw from three two-day fixtures with the former being awarded home field advantage by virtue of having accumulated more points (65) than their cross-harbour rivals (55).

With showers forecast today and tomorrow, batting and bowling bonus points could be at a premium although the home team only require a draw in order to hoist their first major title since 1998.

While the Islanders will be without the services of inspirational player/coach Clay Smith, Loren Marshall, fast bowlers George O'Brien Jr, Mackie Crane and Stefan Kelly and all-rounder Shannon Raynor, St.George's will only be missing the services of young opening batsman Oronde Bascome.

Skipper Smith is currently overseas on vacation in the UK while Kelly, Raynor, Crane and O'Brien are all playing in Jamaica with the Island's Unde- 23 national team.

Bascome, meanwhile, departs today with Bermuda's Under-17 national football team, headed for Cuba.

Of the two clubs, St. David's have proven to be more successful in recent years, particularly in 2001 when they made a clean sweep of all domestic titles.

But while St. George's haven't savoured any success in terms of winning championships in the past six seasons, quietly they have assembled a team blended with youth and experience - one which has consistently placed among the top four in the league in recent years.

St. George's will pin their hopes for success on the broad shoulders of returning wicketkeeper Jason Anderson, skipper Gregg Foggo and brother-in-law Herbie Bascome, Toronto-bound Ryan Steede, spinners Travis Smith and Eugene (Calabash) Foggo along with club stalwart Sinclair Gibbons who is long overdue for a big score.

St. George's have found runs hard to come by during this campaign, placing the onus upon their bowling attack to carry them through.

St. David's, meanwhile, will certainly look to youngsters Delyone Borden and OJ Pitcher to provide the runs and pull the slack in their skipper's absence, while it remains unclear whether talented wicketkeeper Dean Minors will suit up against his former club.

The only other match in the top flight of any real significance this weekend is the relegation battle between Devonshire Recreation Club and Cleveland at the Den - a contest both clubs will desperately want to win in order to avoid tumbling down to the First Division next season.

Elsewhere, Willow Cuts host Southampton - last year's Premier Division champions - at Somerset Cricket Club in a match for third place honours while Bailey's Bay welcome Western Stars to Sea Breeze Oval to decide fifth position in the standings.

At Lord's, rejuvenated Social Club will attempt to keep the bubbly flowing and add the First Division Two-Day League championship to their collection. But first they will have to defeat a solid Flatts side containing a few seasoned campaigners of their own in Gary Brangman, Phillip Burgess and Lloyd Fray.

In the contest for third spot in the standings, Warwick host Somerset at Southampton Oval while Police and PHC battle for fifth spot at Police Field and Somerset Bridge host Legtrappers at White Hill Field in a match to determine which club is left holding the wooden spoon.

All matches begin at 11 a.m.