All roads lead to St. George's tomorrow with a throng of several thousand expected to grace the newly refurbished confines of Wellington Oval.

The `Blue Monster' is in place, all the various `camps' are just about set, groundsman Mansfield (Bojangles) Smith has the outfield in immaculate condition and the wicket is set to pinpoint precision.

And what a Cup Match it promises to be, with this year's event being anointed the centennial celebration although arguments continue to rage as to whether this year does indeed mark the 100th game.

There will be those who take time out to reflect on the occasion as that marking the period of emancipation, while cricket lovers will focus on the match itself and the chess game it presents. And there will be many without a care for either sport or history, who simply want to party, and what better time than Cup Match.

Still, it is the game that stands out above all else, and after losing the trophy a year ago, captain Charlie Marshall and his St. George's crew will be desperate to take revenge on a Somerset outfit led by Albert Steede.

The East Enders were certainly not subtle in making changes to the side that were handily defeated a year ago, cutting loose seven from that squad.

Marshall has been installed as skipper, and has a powerful, albeit short batting line-up that will aim to take the opposing attack by the throat early and often.

The key for the challengers will obviously be to score runs quickly without surrendering wickets, particularly if batting first, and in Glenn Blakeney have the most attractive and in-form batsman on the Island. He and normal opening partner Phillip (Billy Joe) Pitcher will be counted on to give them a solid start, with Clay Smith, Marshall, Mark Ray and all-rounder Lionel Cann likely to follow in that order.

Former captain Herbie Bascome can also produce the occasional flurry with the bat, but it is his ability to take wickets for which he is included, and he along with Dale Fox, vice-captain Greg Gregg and Cann will bear the pace responsibility.

Fox has returned to his menacing best form this year, and stands as the `X' factor, his sheer speed enough to undo the best bat.

But if speed fails, then it will be up to David (Chick) Adams to make things happen with his right arm slow deliveries. Adams, who took a two year hiatus from the game, will want to reinvent his spectre of the past, when he was without doubt Bermuda's premier spinner, striking fear in the heart of many a batsman.

Jason Anderson will find himself under pressure as a colt, as it will be he who needs to most assist the attack as the specialist wicketkeeper. Anderson may not be close to former `keeper Dean Minors in terms of style and ability, but it is efficiency St. George's require him to deliver.

On the other side of the coin, the holders can afford to take their time and play themselves in when batting, forcing St. George's to take risks with field placings and generally making the challengers sweat it out.

Albert Steede may not have many particularly outstanding batsmen apart from himself, but what he does have is great quantity, with all 11 players capable of handling the willow.

Who opens will probably be a game-time decision, it being a toss-up as to whether Steede or vice-captain Dexter Basden partners Curtis Jackson at the crease.

Richard Basden and Wendell White could either take the number four position, followed by the likes of Janeiro Tucker, Irving Romaine, Kwame Tucker, Dwayne Leverock, Corey Hill and Hasan Durham.

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