During a season which could develop into a swan song for some of their senior players, Police are desperate to capture the Camel Cup -- a trophy that has escaped their grasp over the years.

The Boys in Blue would like nothing more than to upset Bailey's Bay in their semi-final at Wellington Oval this Saturday, and then go on to beat the winners of the St.George's-Western Stars clash a day later at Lord's.

"It's the only cup we have never won and with a lot of our players in the twilight of their playing careers, we would love to win it this year,'' confessed Police's long-serving medium pace bowler Richard Austin.

However, the team face a tough baptism to the new season as they have so far failed to play a single match this campaign.

Their scheduled season opener two weeks ago was not played after Social Club showed up with just five players, and last weekend they had a bye.

Now they face a formidable Bay team who have won their two opening games, against St. David's and Flatts.

Police concede the delay to their season may have given opponents a slight advantage.

"Yes, I would think that our opponents, Bailey's Bay and all of the rest of the teams for that matter, have got some sort of an advantage by having played twice before we make our debut, but we are still looking forward to getting the ball rolling,'' said Austin.

"Having not played, we cannot gauge where we are from our pre-season preparations. Training sessions are not comparable to the real thing . ..

with a game or two under our belts we would know just where we were performance wise.'' Austin admitted their chances of winning Saturday's opener would be difficult for two reasons: one, the strength of their opponents and, two, their mediocre record at Wellington Oval in recent years.

"We expect it to be a tough challenge but we are just excited to get our season officially underway. Bay are a good side and have always given us trouble and we realise that the Oval has not been one of our better hunting grounds over the years,'' said Austin.

Police will also be handicapped by the absence of two players who have rejoined their ranks this season, batsman Donovan Livingston and medium pacer Kenny Phillip. These two have returned along with batsman Stevie Lightbourne from Warwick. The team's only major loss was that of allrounder Peter Philpott who rejoined Cleveland.

But Police have overcome similar problems in the past. Last season they regrouped after losing allrounder Dwayne Leverock, fast bowler Roger Blades, Livingston and Lightbourne.

"Those were big departures but we went on to have a very decent season. Our success could be contributed to the team harmony that existed,'' said Austin.

"We finished fourth in both limited overs and open cricket, we retained the Central Counties Cup and we reached the semi-finals of the Knockout. And with our squad just as sound this time around we expect to have another good season.

"Our batting has more teeth for sure.''