Holders, certainly. Underdogs, maybe. Up for the fight, absolutely.

In any normal year St. George's would be favourites because of the simple fact that they are holders, and also because Somerset seem to have done their level best not to win in recent years.

This though is not a normal year, St George's are missing a host of first choice players with a list that includes the likes of Charlie Marshall, Glenn Blakeney, Landro Minors, George O'Brien and Stefan Kelly.

In contrast, Somerset are able to call upon the not inconsiderable talents of Dwayne Leverock, Janeiro Tucker, Malachi Jones, and Stephen Outerbridge.

Given the differing fortunes of the two sides there has been some suggestion in recent weeks that St George's' best plan of attack would be to shut up shop for two days, and let Somerset drive themselves to distraction as they try to take 20 wickets and win for the first time since 2002.

That though would be to ignore the talented players that St George's have in their team, with the likes of OJ Pitcher, Justin Pitcher, and Jason Anderson all in fine form this year. There is also one Lionel Cann to take into consideration.

And any suggestion that playing it safe would be the best approach for the holders, who only need to draw to retain the trophy, is given pretty short thrift in the East End.

"I don't think that's (suggesting that St George's will play it safe) fair," said St George's wicketkeeper Chris Foggo. "We are opened minded about the whole game, we have some exciting new bowlers, so we are looking to put pressure on Somerset, and we want to win the game. I know we want to win.

"And if you play too defensively you end up losing. I've played cricket for a long time, I've seen that (safety first approach) backfire, and I won't be approaching the game like that.

"I always look to play my natural game, and then maybe adjust as time goes on, as the innings progresses, I look to adjust after that."

Foggo scored 45 in the final trial game last weekend, his first innings since he damaged his knee playing for Bermuda against United Arab Emirates at the start of the month. And last year's Safe Hands Award winner also donned the wicketkeeping gloves, something he'll also be doing tomorrow and Friday.

"I'm feeling fine, everything's healed up," he said. "I batted in the trial and felt good, and I was wicketkeeping as well, and my knee didn't bother me then. I have to defend my Safe Hands Title, but not running over helmets this time."

While Foggo is bullish about his side's chances, there is no escpaing the fact that St George's as a team are far more inexperienced than they might have liked to be.

However, for the St George's wicketkeeper that means he now becomes one of the more senior players in the team, and he is relishing the challenge that presents.

"Me and OJ (Pitcher), we are like senior players now," he said.

"There is more responsibility now for us than before when we used to play and we had Glenn and Charlie and everyone. The responsibility, it's something to look forward to.

"I'm looking forward to it. I haven't been up Somerset, so I don't know what to expect, what type of pitch we are going to find, but I'm excited."