face another tough opponent as they continue their bid to defend the Knockout Cup title they won last year.

Today's quarter-final round has St. David's hosting Western Stars in the pick of the four matches.

Certainly, the Islanders could not have asked for a harder draw as St.

George's and Stars are rated two of the top teams in local cricket. Victory for St. David's could leave them on a collision course with the top team at present, Bailey's Bay, in either the semi-finals or finals.

But if St. David's want the label of top team, then they will have to beat those sides who regularly claim to be among the best.

They scored an impressive win over St. George's in the last round as captain Clay Smith came good against his former team. Today's clash at Lord's promises to have just as much interest as St. David's have some of the best youngsters in local cricket while Stars are probably the most experienced team in the league.

Veteran Allen Richardson has been the in-form batsman for St. David's, scoring 70s in his last two outings at the top of the order, while Smith, Lionel Cann, Shea Pitcher, Sammy Robinson and youngsters Landro Minors and OJ Pitcher are the key figures in a batting line-up that is solid right down to number eight.

If there is a weakness in the St. David's team it is their wicketkeeping, which may be solved now that opening batsman Chris Foggo is back from school.

He missed out on selection last weekend but the exciting youngster is in the squad for the weekend.

Stars finished their match against Social Club early enough last weekend for some of their players to watch St. David's demolish Flatts at Devonshire Rec.

Now they will get their chance, and will have Hasan Durham back from suspension to add another option to their bowling.

While this match could go either way, the other three matches are easier to predict. Police should get the nod over Somerset at Somerset, Bailey's Bay, the highest scoring team in the league, should be too strong for Eastern Counties rivals, Flatts, while Devonshire are favoured over PHC at Devonshire Rec.

Tomorrow, Stars are at home to Police in what will be a preview of next weekend's Central Counties final as league action continues.

Joint leaders Bailey's Bay and St. George's are both at home, Bay taking on Warwick and St. George's hosting Devonshire Rec. In other action St. David's meet Cleveland at Lord's, Southampton Rangers are at home to Social Club, Somerset Bridge entertain PHC at White Hill and Willow Cup play Somerset in a west end derby.