Western Stars have forfeited their match against Bailey’s Bay today while First Division club Warwick Workmen’s have withdrawn from the Open League, both because of a lack of players.

On just the third weekend of the season, Stars coach Arnold Manders explained that almost half of his squad of about 16 players were working today, leaving his club struggling to field a team.

“Most of them do shift work, bus drivers, firemen, prison officers and chefs,” Manders said. “The [Bermuda Cricket] Board didn’t want to reschedule, saying there is no room in the schedule, so we have forfeited. I’m not going to play with seven men. We have a squad of 16 or 17 players and 14 of them train regularly.”

Manders had a full team with reserves last weekend for the rain-hit match with St David’s, including brother Andre, who is back from England to add some experience in the team up until the end of May. He scored 26 in the St David’s match as Stars reached 105 for five before the rain ended the contest after 37 overs.

Just one Premier Division match will be played today, with Southampton Rangers at home to Somerset.

Tomorrow, St George’s meet St David’s in a derby match at Wellington Oval while Bailey’s Bay play Rangers at home.

In the First Division today, Flatts take on PHC at St David’s while Somerset Bridge host Cleveland County at White Hill Field. Warwick were due to play Devonshire Recreation Club at the National Sports Centre.

Warwick’s match against Somerset Bridge tomorrow is now also off. Willow Cuts meet Flatts at Somerset, and PHC play host to Cleveland at PHC Field. All matches start at 10am.

Meanwhile, Stars will start the defence of their Central Counties title on May 19 when they meet Evening Cricket League side Tuff Dogs in the first round.

All three matches in the series will be played at Devonshire Recreation Club, with the competition reverting to 50-over games.

Devonshire Recreation Club will play the winners in the second round on June 9 before North Village provide the opposition in the final for the second straight year.

Last year Stars beat Village comfortably by six wickets in the final at St John’s Field, where Brian Hall claimed six wickets for 28 as Village were dismissed for 144 in 35 overs.

Terryn Fray, a guest player for Village, was their top scorer with 66. Treadwell Gibbons, a guest player for Stars, hit 60 as they chased their target for the loss of four wickets.

Guest players will again be allowed in the competition, two per team, with Stars having several options, including Hall, now with St David’s, Gibbons, who is in his first season with St George’s, and Tre Manders and Dalin Richardson, who are now with Southampton Rangers and Somerset Cricket Club.