Willow Cuts have a tough weekend ahead of them and nobody?s more aware of that than skipper Richard (Hooks) Basden.

Today Cuts defend their Western Counties Cup against PHC at Southampton Oval in the second round of the competition while tomorrow the West End side will attempt to dethrone champions St. David?s in an intriguing Premier Division Knockout semi-final at Somerset ? that clash coming a year after the East Enders beat them at the same venue in the final.

?What can I say, it?s certainly a difficult weekend,? admitted Basden.

While the skipper knows his players won?t take any opponent for granted, he doesn?t hide the fact that his side enter this weekend in a confident mood after last Sunday?s upset Knockout win over highly fancied Western Stars.

Cuts beat Stars by 40 runs with Dexter Basden scoring 68 not out and Bergon Spencer 50.

?That?s was a real good result for us and it?s nice to be coming off a solid win like that. Anybody who beats a team like Stars is going to be on a high . . . and it has lifted team morale, that?s for sure,? added Basden.

?We know that we have been out of touch for the majority of the season, but this time of the year we tend to pick it up because of the Counties and Knockout competitions. So we go into these games fairly confident.?

PHC may be seen as lightweight opponents but Basden has reminded his players to remain focused and produce a high level of play.

He points out that while PHC, like his own side, have struggled at times this season, they remain a squad that cannot be taken lightly.

?We have to be careful not to take them for granted because they do have some capable players even though they have not been consistence this season,? he said.

In their first round clash against Somerset Bridge in June, Cuts won by six wickets, Charles Swan taking three for 10 off six overs while Reggie Tucker struck 51 and skipper Basden 17.

Basden would hope that any celebration, if they win against PHC, will be kept to a minimum because tomorrow?s game is certain to be more intense.

At Lord?s on July 18 this year, Cuts stunned St. David?s as they won by three wickets in a high scoring contest. St. David?s scored 303-5 with Shannon Raynor hitting 101 not out and O.J.Pitcher 54 only to see Cuts make a remarkable fightback with 307-7 as Dexter Basden slammed an undefeated 109 and Reggie Tucker 83.

But in last year?s Knockout final, it was St. David?s who stole the honours to snatch the title by a comprehensive margin. Willow Cuts scored 226 with Dwight Basden hitting 58 and Reggie Tucker 49 and St. David?s replied with 227-4 as O.J.Pitcher belted an undefeated 81.

?We know they are not going to forget the beating we gave them at Lords last month, but if they are looking for revenge then we are also looking for revenge after losing to them in the final a year ago,? added Basden.

?I am not going to make any prediction but I think it?s going to be a nail-biting game, I just hope that we can stand up and offer a good challenge. I know they are going to be ready so we have to be prepared just as much.?

While last year?s finalists are involved in the feature game of the day, the clash at Sea Breeze Oval between Bailey?s Bay and St. George?s could produce a closer result although the home team go into the contest as slight favourites. In the First Division Knockout, Somerset Bridge entertain PHC at White Hill while Police host Flatts at Police field.

Jamaican Association, bidding for a third consecutive Commercial Cricket League knockout title, have been drawn against Forties ? the team they beat by four wickets in last year?s final ? in this season?s first round.

Forties avenged that defeat by beating the Jamaicans by 48 runs in this season?s inaugural Players? Memorial Trophy but have had a disappointing season since and have failed to successfully defend the league crown they won in 2003.

The Jamaicans, who have opened up a four-point lead over North Village, can wrap up the league title by beating bottom club Devonshire Stars at Shelly Bay in tomorrow?s final round of matches.

The winners of the Jamaican Association v Forties knockout clash on August 29 will face Fine Leg Byes, who have a bye into the semi-finals to be held the following Sunday. In the bottom half of the draw, Devonshire Stars meet West Indian Association while St. David?s take on North Village.