St. David's Cricket Club will rely on in-form seamer Justin Pitcher to bowl them to Open League glory in today's final at the National Sports Centre (NSC).

That the Islanders have advanced to today's final with Devonshire owes much to the mayhem Pitcher has wreaked upon opposing batsmen in recent weeks.

So far the right-arm opening bowler has bagged 15 wickets for 115 runs at an average of 7.6 with his best bowling performance arriving during the Islanders' 21-run win over Young Men's Social Club in last weekend's Open League semi-final.

He also took three for 23 in a Cup Match Trial for Somerset Cricket Club last weekend, fuelling speculation he may be headed West after being overlooked by St.George's' Cup Match selectors last year, despite seizing a match haul of five for 16 in the champions' final trial at Wellington Oval.

"Justin has gained a yard in speed and batsmen really can't play him that well. He is definitely faster than he was last year and is playing with a lot of heart," commented Islanders' coach George Cannonier.

"He has got a bit more aggressive and I am very pleased with his performances up to now. His batting and fielding has also improved.

"I think the stint with the senior national squad has motivated Justin. I think he wants to be recognised and this season he has trained the hardest I have ever seen him train. He definitely has a goal in mind and is going for it."

Pitcher will again share the new ball with the returning Angelo Cannonier who has also contributed to the Islanders' early season success with bat and ball.

In terms of his team's woeful batting of late, Cannonier has challenged his struggling batsmen to apply themselves more at the crease.

The Islanders have surpassed the double century mark only once in four Open League outings and folded for a paltry 82 against Southampton Rangers in a low-scoring one-wicket defeat at Southampton Oval.

"I am looking for my batsmen to click on the day and they are long overdue for a big total. They have been getting themselves out lately and they realise that. They just need to apply themselves a bit more," Cannonier added.

Now standing between themselves and a second straight Open League title (St.David's won last season's Premier Division Open League before the competition was revised) are a Devonshire side that boast former Islanders Chris Foggo and Kameron Fox.

Last weekend the pair both stroked half-centuries and shared in a 76-run partnership in Devonshire's four-wicket win over St.George's that sealed their place in today's final with St.David's.

"We know all about Chris and if we can get past him I don't think we will have much of a problem," Cannonier said. "I can't speak too much for our opponents, but we are not going to take them lightly.

"The guys are playing hard in this competition and we are coming up there (NSC) to try and play to the best of our ability."