WILLOW Cuts' skipper Richard Basden and his team are upbeat as they enter tomorrow's Western Counties Cup opening round against Somerset Bridge at Southampton Oval.

Unlike a year ago when the west enders were rather demoralised at this stage of the season with a dreadful 0-7 record, they now sport a far more impressive record that includes two victories and a draw against a strong St. David's team. This combined with the fact that they are coming off a comprehensive nine-wicket triumph over Devonshire Rec in a two-day Premier Division game on Sunday has the team on a high.

"We are coming off a nice boost in the win in our last game, so it's obvious that we are going into the Western Counties Cup opener feeling extremely confident," said Basden.

"After going 0-7 last year we feel pretty confident this season with two victories and a draw against St. David's in the open round ? the guys are quite upbeat. We have a few youngsters who are playing quite regular, young Bergon Spencer who last year hit the fastest 50 in Counties at White Hill and then there is young Cordova Marshall, nephew of Charlie Marshall who is another regular.

"And then we have Trevor Forth who scored 74 on Sunday who is back and motivated. A lot of the younger players, other than my brother Dexter and myself, are pretty much motivated and playing well so we are getting stuck in and at the same time still learning."

But Basden intends to try to persuade the players to continue to play to their potential and not lower their standards ? he is determined to get the point drilled in their heads that all challengers will be aiming to dethrone them.

While Somerset Bridge are having a pitifully slow start to the season with very little success, Basden wants his youngsters to still prepare for a spirited challenge from the White Hill based club ? fully aware of the fact that they have often in the past rallied to test his club and other favourites they have come up against in this competition.

"As defending champions we are very confident, we know that everybody is going to be gunning for us but we are going to be up for the challenge. We stayed in the competition all last year and went on to win the whole four rounds and hopefully we can do it again," said the skipper.

Meanwhile action on Sunday switches to limited overs with a full slate of games in both the Premier and First Division.

The feature game of the day in the Premier Division has the struggling defending Southampton Rangers hosting Western Stars in a game that Southampton have to win or face falling well out of the running for the title this season.

The other top team, St. David's, are away to Bailey's Bay at Sea Breeze Oval in a game that the east enders should win, but they should be prepared to battle it out against their Eastern Counties Cup rivals.Southampton Rangers v Western Stars, Southampton Oval; Cleveland v Devonshire Rec., Wellington Oval; Willow Cuts v St. George's, Somerset CC; Bailey's Bay v St. David's, Sea Breeze Oval. Social Club v Somerset CC, Devonshire Rec; PHC v Warwick, White Hill; Leg Trappers v Somerset Bridge, St. John's; Flatts v Police, Lord's. Games start at 11a.m.