George's left no case for debate over the Premier League championship following their title-clinching win over Police on Sunday.

And provided the totally unexpected does not happen this coming Sunday -- like a loss to bottom team Warwick -- the east-enders will complete a perfect 15-game league season with a maximum 30 points.

The title wrapped up, St. George's will now focus on the second half of the double -- the Knockout Cup. They meet Southampton Rangers, who beat them in the 1990 final, in Saturday's semifinal round.

"I still will like to see guys committed right to the end of the season because we still have much to play for,'' captain Wendell Smith said last night.

"Our spectators aren't satisfied with just that (league), they want more.'' If Western Stars started the season as the team to watch, certainly St.

George's are the ones finishing with flying colours, having beaten Stars in both the league and knockout to avenge their only loss of the season in the Camel Cup semifinals.

"Our worst performance was in the Camel Cup when Western Stars gave us a thrashing,'' admitted Smith.

"It was a wake-up call for us. At that time Stars were no doubt the best team on the island.'' Now, while Stars watch from the sidelines, St. George's will attempt again to win the knockout trophy and further stake their claim as the best limited overs team on the island.

The fact that St. George's have managed to overcome every challenge in the league without their inspirational captain for a number of games is testimony to the programme Smith first started to put together in 1985 when he took over the captaincy from Clevie Wade. For this year's success, Smith is quick to praise the job Graham Fox has done as stand-in captain.

Since 1985 when St. George's finished second to a strong Warwick team led by Colin Blades, the east-enders have failed just twice (1986 and '91) to finish in the top four. They were also runners-up in 1989, in between their first two championships.

The club slumped to a 10th-place finish in 1991 and were rock bottom on May 10, 1992 two matches into last season.

A loss to Nationals was to be their last reversal in the league as they ended that season with an unbeaten 12-game run, which included eight wins and four draws. Added to the 14 games they are unbeaten this season it is 26 games since St. George's last suffered a league loss.

"We started really slowly last year,'' said skipper Smith. "But we were rebuilding and there were no expectations to win the league or even challenge.'' Two of the team's former players, Ricky Hodsoll and Anthony Trott, returned this year with Dexter Smith joining them from Western Stars and suddenly they were approaching the new season with renewed enthusiasm.

"These days we have players who are confident, perhaps even cocky, guys who believe they are going to win every time they go on the field,'' said the captain.

"It's difficult to go the whole season undefeated in limited overs because you could get a rain-affected match or have an off day.'' Smith hates to single out individuals but could not resist making mention of the type of season batsman Clay Smith has had.

"He inspired the team at Rangers when he should not have played (because of a shoulder injury) and could only hold the bat with one arm,'' said Wendell of his younger brother whom he tips for the MVP award.

"He has had the type of year most people only dream of.'' Added Smith: "What has helped us a tremendous amount is that there are a lot of unselfish guys in the team who are prepared to sacrifice their wickets for the betterment of the team, not worrying about playing for their average but for the team.'' CLAY SMITH -- Brother Wendell's tip for MVP.