Willow Cuts skipper Richard Basden is highly confident his team can retain their Western Counties title against Somerset Bridge tomorrow at Southampton Oval, though he warned his fellow colleagues not to take their First Division opponents lightly.

Cuts are set to begin the defence of their crown in what will be a replica of last season?s opening round which saw the Premier Division side dethrone then champions Bridge at White Hill Field.

Although Bridge will again enter this contest as underdogs, Basden was quick to point out how the perennial minnows have long been a thorn in the side of Cuts through the decades.

?Over the years Bridge are just about the only team we haven?t been able to dominate in the Western Counties. I believe over the years they have actually beaten us more times than any other club and so we never take them lightly,? Basden explained.

He added: ?This is a derby match and they always come out in force. I think they have a few promising youngsters now in their team who are very excited to play and it really doesn?t matter that they are First Division club . . . cricket is cricket and you must show up on the day.

?If we don?t come out with our A-Game , then we stand to lose. So we certainly don?t take them for granted . . . whether they are in the First Division or not.?

Whether Cuts prevail over Bridge will again hinge on the performances of key players Reggie Tucker Jr., former skipper Dexter Basden, opener Dwight Basden and the flamboyant skipper himself.

Much will also be expected from the likes of club stalwarts Bergon Spencer, Charles Swan and Trevor Forth ? who cracked 70 against Devonshire the previous weekend ? while guest players Jermaine Warner and Jacobi Robinson could also receive another call to duty. Somerset Cricket Club player, and current Western Counties president Wendell White remains doubtful. The champions were due to select their final squad for tomorrow?s clash last night.

Cuts could possibly field two colts tomorrow, teenaged medium pacer Cordova Marshall ? nephew of Social Club player/coach Charlie Marshall ? and spinner Kavon Fubler, son of veteran spinner Kevin Fubler who also remains doubtful to play.

?We are very excited and feel confident being the champions rather than the underdogs,? added Basden. ?We have one or two promising youngsters coming up in our squad and we have been training hard. It is a bit of added pressure having to defend the cup further away from home (Southampton Oval), but we just need to pick your game up a bit more.

?But we are the champions and so we should be able to play anywhere. It you want to take the game to New York City, then we would have to go there to defend the cup. We are fully loaded and again look forward to having our youngsters to do the damage. If they can do that then it takes the pressure off our senior players to do it all. But if they can?t do it, then I guess the old fellows will have to complete the task.?

Meanwhile, Bridge coach Richard Knight reckons the challengers have what it takes to topple the champions and avenge last year?s defeat.

Wicketkeeper Adrian Burrows will lead a Bridge side that could possibly contain the likes of Cleveland County batsman Curtis Jackson, St.David?s pacer Mackie Crane or even former club stalwart Dean Stephens who joined Devonshire at the beginning of the season as guest players.

?I think we will do well as long as we play together as a team,? noted Knight, himself a former Bridge and Southampton Rangers player.

?We have a very young team and the guys are eager to go. We haven?t been able to score many runs this season but I am still confident we can give Willow Cuts a good run for their money.?

Bridge will also pin their hopes for success on the broad shoulders of vice-captain Nakia Smith, Kurt Simons and Corvette Lambert while fellow veteran all-rounder Denzil Dill could be set to make a first appearance for the season in the challengers side. All-rounder Andrew (Wire) Wilson did not make himself available for selection as he is due to travel overseas, according to coach Knight.

Cuts defeated Bridge by 111 runs during last season?s county clash.