BERMUDA'S triumvirate of overseas cricketers have made slow but steady progress during the opening fortnight of the English club season.

OJ Pitcher, who was due to arrive on Wednesday to join Pyrford, of the Surrey County League, will bring the total to four but, in the interim, Chris Foggo, his St. David's and Bermuda team-mate, Ryan Steede, the former Bermuda Under-19 all-rounder, and Noel Gibbons are flying the flag proudly though not yet with distinction.

Foggo's Pyrford are one of four clubs to have started the season with consecutive victories and the youngster, this past Saturday, got a chance to witness the talents of Roland Butcher, the former England batsman and now Pyrford player-coach, close at hand. With Pyrford struggling at 26 for four, and Foggo out for two, Butcher made an unbeaten century from number six to underline his class in a four-wicket victory over Wallington, and further instil the belief around the league that the club, who missed out on promotion by one place last season, will take some beating.

Pyrford opened the season with a crushing, 157-run win over Sinjuns and will be expected to remain unbeaten when they travel tomorrow to face Leatherhead, who were rolled over for 89 in their most recent fixture by Kingstonian, one of the three clubs who shared an unblemished record with Pyrford.

Foggo, who made 22 on his league debut, said that he is having to make adjustments to the slower tracks in the early English season but was otherwise bright and confident.

"I am enjoying playing over here," he said. "Once I get used to the wickets I'm sure the runs will come but for now it is a learning experience."

Further north in a more low-key move to experience foreign conditions, Steede is making more significant contributions with the ball for Atherstone Town CC. The West Midlands club opened their account in the Warwickshire Cricket League with a six-wicket win away to Kenilworth, Steede claiming four for 40 from 17 overs, with six maidens.

The St. George's player was not required to feature with the bat as Kenilworth, after winning the toss, could muster only 132 from 43.4 overs. Gibbons was bowled for eight at number three but Simon Grayson, the opener, scored a fine 70 to ease the visiting team home.

Steede featured more prominently with the bat in his opening match, a losing draw at home to Bronze CC. However, he was stumped after having made 19 from number three and Atherstone Town disappointed in crawling to 105 for seven in 50 overs in reply to 182 for eight declared, also from 50 overs. Gibbons made 13.

With the ball, Steede finished with none for 27 from seven overs.

Atherstone Town, who similar to Pyrford, play in a feeder league, aspire to reach the Birmingham & District League next season. The significance of the Bermudians playing in the area this summer is that Southampton Rangers are planning a tour that will take in three matches, one against Solihull Municipal who were promoted from the Warwich Cricket League at the end of last season. This weekend, they are at home to Aston Manor, who finished third last season but have not made the most promising of starts to the new campaign.