Devonshire Rec. go into today's Central Counties Cup final against champions Western Stars with their opening batsmen Lloyd Morrison and Donald Norford hoping to redeem themselves after failing to score a single run in last year's final.

Today's 50 overs match is at St. John's field starting at 11 a.m.

Devonshire will be hoping that confidence will be restored in their batting this time around, but much will depend on whether the two openers can shake the memories of a year ago.

What makes today's task even greater for the challengers is the fact that they will be playing without Roger Trott who does not play on Saturdays because of religious beliefs.

He was their top opener last week with 49 when they suffered a four-run loss against lowly St. David's in the Premier Division.

Also absent from the line-up because of his involvement in a wedding is medium-pacer Winston Trott Jr. who snatched four wickets for 42.

Trott and Norford have been the regular openers for Devonshire in recent matches, but the latter was unavailable on Sunday and Morrison, who has been batting third, replaced him.

But with Trott not playing, Devonshire will be forced to go with their openers of a year ago and immense pressure will be on Norford's shoulders since he has not played in two weeks.

Devonshire's opening bowlers should concern them also since Anthony Edwards and John Ray both failed to take a single wicket in the game against St.

David's.

Andre Manders, who scored a brisk 111 not out against Police in the second round on May 29, believes that Devonshire's bowling attack will warrant careful watching by Stars.

"Police had a good attack with Roger Blades and Freston Hurdle but we had no real problems against them in that game.

"Even still, we have to be careful against Edwards and John Ray and spinner Bruce Perinchief who can all bowl at a tidy length, we need to concentrate,'' he said.

Manders, who batted at number five for Somerset during his three seasons there as skipper, enjoys being promoted to number three at Stars.

"Things are going quite well, I'm quite comfortable batting that high. When I was previously with the team I normally batted around fourth or fifth, now I hope I stay where I am,'' he said.

DONALD NORFORD -- First match in two weeks.