St George’s coach Clay Smith feels his side’s unbeaten run in the Athene T20 league could come under threat from Somerset this weekend.

The two teams meet in what promises to be an exciting encounter at North Field, National Sports Centre, on Sunday, and Smith is expecting a tough test as his side close in on retaining their T20 crown.

“After going through the first half undefeated this is one of our biggest tests,” Smith said.

“They are a tough team and they have been playing well. You have to be at your best to overcome them and they are tough opponents. The last time we played them it was a close game and they now have Kamau Leverock, who makes a big difference.

“The key for us has been taking it one game at a time, try to win the next game and keep focused. That’s what we have been doing all along.”

Off spin bowler Nzari Paynter has been doing most of the damage with the ball with nine wickets in the last two matches and Smith feels the player has is reaping the rewards of hard work.

“He has always been somebody with a lot of potential and he is developing,’’ Smith said.

“This is a kid who puts in a lot of effort. He is every coach’s dream player, committed to the cause. Whatever we ask of him, he does it.”

Somerset coach Jeff Richardson is also predicting a lively encounter with his team in good form after recording an eight-wicket win over St David’s last week.

“My team is good enough to compete with anyone and it should be a hotly contested match,’’ Richardson said.

“It was good to get a win against St David’s. We had some players missing but we are back to full strength now. Jermal Proctor has travelled for a family vacation but we have other bowlers to fill that void.

“For us to win the league, we would have to win all our games, which is possible, and we’re definitely going for it. We will try our best.”

Second-placed Bailey’s Bay, will look to keep up the pressure on St George’s when they face Willow Cuts at Somerset Cricket Club.

Coach Gus Logie is asking his players to display coolness after last week’s defeat to the league leaders, their first loss in all competitions this season.

“It's another opportunity to continue the growth and maturity we showed after our first defeat a few games ago,’’ Logie said.

“It was quite the response we expected having put in lots of quality work. We continue to ask our players to perform on the day and we saw that last week. May it continue as the Willow Cuts challenge beckons and we take nothing for granted going forward.”

Cuts coach Dexter Basden is looking to make the favourites work hard for a victory.

“We like being theunder dogs and we need some points, so we looking for an upset.”