St.George's can look forward to a trouble-free build-up to Cup Match having steered clear of the controversy which has dogged the club over the past two years.

Club president Mansfield Smith has confirmed that all contenders for places in the St. George's team for the annual classic on August 1 and 2 paid their dues by the June 30 deadline.

Two years ago Noel Gibbons was ruled out after controversy surrounding his non-payment of dues. His subsequent omission ended one of the longest appearances in Cup Match history, the all-rounder having played 23 consecutive years after making his debut in 1971 as a 16-year-old.

Last year a similar dispute arose involving four players -- Dean Minors, Clarkie Trott, Lionel Cann and Dale Fox -- and after much discussion, club officials eventually decided that only Minors would be ineligible.

Cann and Fox were chosen and Trott left out, though all four played in the final trial match.

Smith said that all the players, including overseas-based Cann, Glenn Smith and Jermaine Outerbridge, who was a late replacement as reserve, had paid their dues by the deadline.

"My dues are definitely paid. I went and did it during the soccer season,'' said Minors, vice captain of the league team.

"I didn't want any of last year's happenings again, I couldn't take that one more year.'' Cann, Smith and Outerbridge are also keen on making challenges for places and are expected back in Bermuda in time for the final trial on July 27.

"As vice captain I have talked to Glenn about coming home for certain dates to play in Cup Match trials,'' said Minors whose wicketkeeping duties were taken up by Smith after Lewis Foggo, the only other specialist `keeper, was overlooked.

"Since he's (Smith) played already he just needs to play in one trial,'' said Minors. "Clay (Smith) and I have both seen him in action and realise that he is in good form.'' That form included a century against Bermuda for the Northumberland League Select during the recent tour of England. He followed that up with a half century on his Bermuda debut three days later.

"I am financial as far as Cup Match is concerned. I don't know when I will be coming home but once I talk to an official from the club I'll know more,'' said Smith.

"It looks 50-50 that I will come home to play for Bailey's Bay in the Eastern Counties first round. If I do then I will definitely stay home for the last Cup Match trial and eventually Cup Match.'' Smith said he was delighted there will be no further controversy this year.

"I hope we never have to go through that again,'' he said yesterday. "The responsibility really lies with the players.'' The two respective Cup Match clubs have agreed that an additional hour will be played each day, with stumps being drawn at 7.30 on the first day and the final 20 overs beginning at 6.30 on the second. As is customary in Cup Match there will be no tea break on either day.

St. George's will hold a training session every Tuesday evening, starting today, for potential Cup Match players at Wellington Oval at 5.30. Also to be held this evening at 5.30 at Wellington Oval will be a training session for the Colts Cup Match players in preparation for Saturday's match with Somerset at Wellington Oval (11.00).