Clay Smith has endured a love-hate relationship with diehard St. George's supporters this season -- a situation he knows can only be put right by winning back the cup he lost a year ago.

The friction stems back to Cup Match 1996 when St. George's lost the cup after 13 years. Things didn't improve when the East Enders' league team were eliminated as champions in the first round of the Knockout Cup and were also beaten in the final of the Camel Cup.

"It's not a good one, put it that way,'' said Smith of the relationship.

"It's a bit of a surprise to me actually, that people haven't taken to me the way I thought they would. All I'm doing is trying to go ahead and do my best for the club and get the job done.

"They've had a go because we (league team) haven't been as successful as we have been in the past.'' Last year Smith vowed to win back the cup but he almost gave up on the captaincy earlier this year.

"At one stage I did get frustrated,'' he admitted. "I was getting a bit of flak from one of my committee members and it got to the point whereby I was questioning if all of this was worth the headaches.

"I had a meeting with the players and they said `stick it out, it will only get better'.'' Though he didn't get the team he wanted for tomorrow and Friday's summer classic, Smith feels he has the right balance to beat Somerset.

"I'm pretty pleased with it. We've agreed that the team is suited to bowling on a pitch that we're looking to prepare,'' added the captain.

"Therefore I don't have any gripes with it. It can definitely be a winning team but guys just have to play to their full potential.'' Smith admits to having learned some important lessons from the loss in his first year as captain. His defensive field placing from the outset as his team defended 252 was one of the decisions that backfired on him.

"I may have done one or two things differently but if my bowlers had bowled the correct line that I had set out for them, then things may have been a bit different,'' said Smith.

That behind him, the skipper realises it's more important now to look forward.

He's urging the fans to do the same and get behind the team.

"I just want them to give the team as much support over the two days as they can,'' he stated.

"Not just myself because I'm not going to be the only one playing. I want them to give the team support from ball one to the end of the day on Friday.

"With the talent we have and their support there is no reason why we can't win the cup. The key to us winning will come from how well Herbie (Bascome), Gary (Brangman) and Chick (David Adams) bowl because those are the three I'm looking to do some damage with.'' Smith confirmed that Arnold Manders would open the batting, probably with colt Jason Lewis in the first innings. If the situation warrants it, there's also the option of pushing Glenn Blakeney up the order in the second innings.

Spinner Adams, not having one of his best seasons, struck form with five wickets on Sunday and Smith is hoping he will continue to improve on his home pitch which is responsive to his wrist spinners.

"With Adams I'm glad he did pick up the five wickets that he did,'' said Smith. "People were having a go at him around the club, saying that he didn't deserve his spot.

"He silenced his critics by getting five wickets the next day. It shows the wickets do assist him tremendously and hopefully he can bowl just as well, if not better, over the two days.'' Smith promises to be more attacking than Somerset on the occasions they have been trying to win the cup.

"I'm not going to go down there like Dexter (Basden) did when he had us in trouble and let us off the hook. Once we get them in trouble, that is going to be it. "Personally I would risk losing every single year to try to win it...especially when we don't have the cup.

"I saw times when Dexter could have pressured us even more but I think he was afraid of having that reputation of losing Cup Match so much that he settled for the draw. If we lose we lose, but we're going to go after it.'' CLAY SMITH -- taking flak from the St. George's fans.

HERBIE BASCOME -- his performance with the ball could be a key factor in St.

George's' attempt to regain the cup.