Glenn Blakeney, one of the Island?s most prolific and explosive batsmen, could replace Treadwell Gibbons Sr as coach at First Division outfit Somerset Bridge.

The flamboyant Bailey?s Bay left-handed batsman is currently in talks with officials at Somerset Bridge over the possibility of overseeing overall coaching duties at the club.

After helping Bermuda qualify for last year?s ICC Trophy in Ireland in 2004, Blakeney has limited himself to making cameo appearances on the local cricket scene and has seemingly thrown in the towel on an international career that saw him thrive in the former Red Stripe Bowl in the Caribbean and enjoy a brief professional playing stint in the UK.

Blakeney blasted a record 303 not out against Bailey?s Bay representing St.David?s at Lords in 2002 a year after smashing 245 against Willow Cuts at the same venue.

When contacted yesterday, the 33-year-old cricketer told : ?I have been approached but at this particular point in time I have not made any decisions.?

Blakeney said he hasn?t even considered resuming a playing career that has seen him delight local crowds with an awesome blend of skill and aggression at the crease.

In 1997 Blakeney, along with then St.George?s skipper Clay Smith, established a new Cup Match batting record for the third wicket (144) at Wellington Oval to spur the East Enders to an emphatic nine-wicket triumph over Somerset.

Blakeney is also believed to be the only batsmen ever to dispatch the very first ball of Cup Match for six on the opening day?s play in the 104-year history of the annual mid-summer classic, having achieved the feat off Bay team-mate Corey Hill at Somerset Cricket Club in 2002.

?I?m not sure what I will be doing this summer or whether or not I will play anymore,? Blakeney added. ?But the door remains open. I just have to sit down and discuss matters further with the club.?

Blakeney is scheduled to have talks with club president Marc Bean and fellow executive Kim Jackson, daughter of late Somerset Bridge and Somerset Cup Match player Kenneth (Mickey) Thompson.

It is understood the club have decided against renewing Gibbons? contract as coach.

?Obviously Glenn (Blakeney) would be a welcome addition to our cricket team either as a player or coach. And hopefully he does come onboard,? stated Somerset Bridge Recreation Club (SBRC) president Bean.

Bean said the club?s cricket team is currently preparing themselves for next month?s second annual Kenneth (Mickey) Thompson Super Sevens to be held at White Hill Field.

?We have been doing some basic pre-season training and our goal is to take a serious approach from now on in all of our sports activities and administrative affairs,? Bean added.

Meanwhile, champions Warwick Workmen?s Club will defend their Kenneth (Mickey) Thompson Memorial Super Sevens title at White Hill Field on April 8.

Warwick defeated PHC in last year?s inaugural final at the West End which proved to be a smashing success.

?We will definitely be up for the task although so far we have only been able to train indoors,? commented Warwick stalwart Daniel Morgan.

This year?s event will again feature representatives from the Western Counties Cricket Association (WCCA) PHC, Southampton Rangers, hosts Somerset Bridge Recreation Club, cup holders Warwick and Willow Cuts.

Somerset Cricket Club, who competed as guests last year, have again been invited to compete in the competition played in accordance wtih bye-laws of the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB).

All participating teams will consist of a maximum of nine players with seven players eligible to play in any of the 12-over contests. Each player, with the exception of the wicketkeeper, will be permitted to bowl one over.

The draw for the competition will be held just prior to the start of the event, with the six teams involved to be placed in two separate pools.

Play shall commence with all teams in each pool playing against each other for points. Four teams, two per pool, with the highest points will progress to the semi-finals.

Three points will be awarded for a win, two for a draw and a single point for a loss.

There will also be a play-off or consolation final to determine the third placed team.

A cash reward of $500 will be presented to the competition?s eventual champions while the runner?s up will pocket $350, third place $250 and fourth $150.

The fifth and sixth placed teams will each receive $100 for their efforts while additional cash rewards of $100 will be presented to the competition?s highest run-getter and most successful bowler.

All participating teams will don coloured attire.