St. George's cleared out the cupboard on Saturday night, making wholesale changes to the side that surrendered the Cup Match trophy to Somerset a year ago, as they commenced the quest to wrest back the cherished piece of silverware.

There were seven victims of the massive shake-up, with Dexter Smith, Cleon Scotland, Ryan Steede and Eugene Foggo all coming in for the chop, Dean Minors and Graham Fox not available for consideration, and O.J. Pitcher out of action due to injury.

Part and parcel of what were the most changes ever made to a side from one year to the next, was the availability this year of several players from St. David's, who last year were not up for selection as the Islanders arranged a tour of England the same week of the classic.

Thus this year also produced a first in the form of the East Enders boasting a side containing players solely representing the two St. George's powers, with six regulars from the St. George's league side and five from the gold and blue camp across the harbour.

The most bandied question prior to the selectors revealing their picks was whether Clay Smith's apology for some unsavoury remarks directed at management two years ago would be revealed as having been genuinely accepted, and his inclusion among the final list put that to rest.

Likewise returning were explosive early order batsman Glenn Blakeney, all-rounder Lionel Cann and fiery paceman Dale Fox. Burly opener Philip (Billy Joe) Pitcher, another Islander, joined his comrades as a colt.

Spinner David (Chick) Adams made a belated return after literally going fishing the past two seasons, while the final new face added was that of Jason Anderson, who will take over the wicketkeeping duties.

"Three or four of the guys were not here last year and were not available," explained chief selector Greg (Brutus) Foggo when questioned as to the great number of changes.

"Pitcher's performance on the final trial really sealed his position, Dale Fox was brought back because he provides sheer pace, and David Adams we feel can entice batsmen into mistakes. He hasn't been spectacular, but we feel he's been pretty steady all season.

"I feel we have a well balanced side with a lot of explosive bats, and if things go according to plan it should be an outright victory for St. George's."

Known for long hours of debating, often going into the early hours of Sunday, St. George's selection committee this year were able to present their team to the membership before Somerset, who in recent years have been first to make their selection known.

Foggo intimated how much had hinged on the final trial, and many had picked themselves based on their showings on Saturday.

"That was the first time in my time that I've known us to present a team before Somerset," said Foggo. "The selection went pretty well, there were a few arguments that didn't last very long. Yesterday's (Saturday's) trial made it a little easier, because heading into the trial it looked like it might be very difficult making choices, but the way things went yesterday (Saturday) made things clearer."

Still, questions in relation to St. George's' ability to bowl Somerset out twice remain, particularly as two of their premier strike bowlers, Fox and Gregg Foggo, have had a propensity to break down.

However, the elder Foggo would entertain little of such notions, noting how his son had proven himself fully fit, and similarly so Fox, although he admitted the latter to be a largely hit or miss proposition.

"Gregg had a slight injury, but in training we had him bowling non-stop for about an hour and there were no problems," said Foggo. "He's been through his physical and is fully fit, he's had no problems with the injury that he had incurred.

"Dale's been to the ICC and has been pretty consistent this season. He hasn't had any injuries that I know of this season, he did fairly well at ICC . . .

"One thing we feel with Dale is that, if he gets off, he's bad, but if he's on he can be terrorising."