If Police can perform tomorrow against Western Stars as they did recently in the Central Counties final -- with an extra 10 percent effort on the field -- then a few teams near the top of the Premier League will be very happy.

For unless somebody stops unbeaten Stars soon the league race won't go the 14-game distance. At the half-way stage of the season, Stars are already looking invincible with seven wins on the trot.

But they did look vulnerable against Police in the Counties two weeks ago before an unbroken eighth wicket stand between Cleon Scotland and Hasan Durham saved them from defeat and paved the way for an exciting three-wicket victory.

It was Police's big chance to pull off a shock win and reclaim the title they lost to Stars last year, but they blew it on the field where their ground fielding was not up to par.

To make matters worse for Police tomorrow, they will be without batsmen Dave Greenidge, who broke a finger against St. George's the day after the Counties final, and Ferdinand Thorne who has a leg injury. There are also doubts over the availability of bowlers Michael Jackman and Freston Hurdle.

Certainly Stars will go into the match at Police Field as favourites, as the Police bowlers -- with or without Jackman and Hurdle -- face a daunting task of trying to slow up the freescoring Albert Steede who has already racked up 802 runs.

In 11 innings, the Stars captain has blasted four centuries and two 50s and is averaging 100 runs an innings after his season-best knock of 152 last weekend against St. David's.

Tomorrow's other top match will be at Southampton Oval where defending champions and second-placed Rangers meet fourth-placed St. George's.

The visitors have been coming into form with the bat lately but will be missing two key batsmen, Mark Ray and Ryan Steede, who are off the Island.

Both will also be missed in the bowling department.

Dexter Smith will carry a big responsibility at the top of the order as he bids to give the Rangers selectors a nudge ahead of their Western Counties match.

Rangers have plenty of strength in their own batting where Keith Wainwright, Olin Jones and captain Janeiro Tucker are leading the way. And if they are to make a strong push for a second title, Rangers can ill-afford to suffer a second loss. Presently they are only five points behind the leaders.

St. David's should remain in at least third place with victory over Devonshire Rec. at home. Devonshire are building a promising young team and after last weekend's five-wicket win over Somerset, after being set 313 to win, will relish this clash.

Cleveland should have the edge over Warwick at Wellington Oval as new Warwick coach Allan Douglas meets his former team for the first time.

Somerset, slowly sliding down the tables after a solid start, meet another tough opponent in Bailey's Bay at the west end.

Flatts host Willow Cuts at Devonshire Rec., while bottom two Social Club or Somerset Bridge will get their first victory when they meet at St. John's Field.