PREMIER Division Limited Overs favourites Western Stars have to brush aside spirited challenges from three top rivals if they intend to win the league title this season.

Last Sunday they got over the first hurdle when they defeated champions Southampton Rangers by 89 runs at Southampton Oval ? now they have to see if they can dish out similar punishment to St. David's and St. George's.

St. David's are their number two hurdle on Sunday in the day's feature game at St. John's field and Stars' coach Arnold Manders is hoping that playing three difficult matches within a short span will help to keep his team sharp and prepared.

Manders is also well aware that if they managed to conquer the two East End clubs in the matches ahead ? they play St. George's at Wellington Oval on June 27 ? they will all but wrap up the league title.

"Certainly winning an away game against Southampton Rangers like we did last Sunday was a boost for the team, a win against teams of that calibre is always good," he said. "But if you want to win the league you have to beat all of the top teams.

"It works out pretty good with us because we have to play at a consistently high level for a few weeks, we've played Rangers and now we have to get over St. David's this Sunday and then follow up with a win over St. George's.

"So for us, three wins against these teams will virtually seal the league title. We've played St. David's twice this season and each team has recorded a victory, so there is every chance that this will be another competitive clash."

Manders said that his players are mentally papared for a tough match, pointing out that they have to maintain this form for a while if they intend to go all the way and beat the trio they feel are their biggest challengers.

St. George's will try to keep in the title race at the expense of Devonshire Rec. The Eastenders are undefeated and doing well under new skipper Gregg Foggo while Devonshire Rec. recently lost to Willow Cuts on their home ground and will be hard pressed to recover from that setback on Sunday.

One of the day's closest results could occur at Sea Breeze Oval where Bailey's Bay host Southampton Rangers.

It has been a so-so season for both teams, with visitors Southampton losing their grip on the championship early while Bay haven't yet gotten into any groove which must concern new skipper Jermaine Outerbridge.

In the other Premier Division game Willow Cuts travel to Wellington Oval where they should manage to get the better of Cleveland County.

In the First Division, top-of-the-table Social Club travel to Lord's to meet Flatts, whose bowlers have to work hard to prevent Glenn Blakeney from devouring their attack.

The opener has already scored two double centuries and is coming off a fine 150 against Somerset last Sunday as Social Club cruised to another victory in a league they have dominated so far this season.

Meanwhile the Central Counties Cup competition will resume this season despite rumours that it has been scrapped.

The first-round game, scheduled three weeks ago, was called off after no official umpires turned up. The umpires alleged that they were informed late about the game at Police field, but to date no new dates have been announced.

Counties official El Christopher confirmed that dates for the competition will be revealed in due course, while Arnold Manders said that he was pleased to learn that the competition will be held this season and not scrapped.

"It's good to know that it will not be scrapped, that wouldn't be a good thing for cricket," said Manders, of champions Western Stars.