In what shapes up as a most intriguing match-up, champions Warwick will be looking to retain the Western Counties Cup today, when they tackle neighbourhood rivals PHC at White Hill Field (11 a.m.) in the third round.

Warwick come off a decisive defeat of then champions Southampton, when most did not give the band of relatively no-name players a chance.

However, this time around there can be no surprises, as they take on a crew of similar, largely nondescript cricketers.

That all may well change today, and Warwick's player/coach Allan Douglas, one of the few brand names involved, was yesterday anxiously awaiting the challenge.

"I had to laugh the last time, when I saw what was written ahead of our match against Southampton, but we had a plan for them, and we were able to execute it," said Douglas. "Similarly, we have a plan for tomorrow's (today) match and will look to carry that out in the same way.

"If we bat first we'll be looking to post a good score. If we do that we're a difficult team to beat.

"If we bat last, the strategy is still the same. The batsmen each have jobs to do at certain times in the match, and if they carry them out then success should follow."

The champs will be counting on the likes of guest players Sammy Robinson and Mark Ray for solid all around performances, with Ray probably the key.

The duo along with Kion Butterfield, Kion Smith, Douglas and skipper Daniel Caines will carry the batting load, while medium pacer Jason Williams has been brought back from studies abroad to spearhead the bowling attack, along with the likes of Dion Stovell and Robbie Richardson.

Again reflecting on the previous match, Douglas surprisingly noted his view of PHC as a much tougher proposition than star-laden Southampton.

"It's certainly going to be a difficult match, " he said. "I'm really more concerned about PHC than I was about Southampton, because we are very similar, with few brand name players as such.

"It's a friendly neighbourhood rivalry and it's refreshing to hear how people speak of it. We're both about even on paper, which makes it interesting, but it also makes it more nerve wracking for us having the trophy, because there's more pressure to defend. It should be a real thriller, a nerve tingling affair."

Today at the east end, Bailey's Bay seek another successful defence of the Junior Eastern Counties, when they entertain Cleveland in the final.

Bay, after ending St. David's seven-year run with the title through a stunning upset in the first round, got past Flatts the last time out, and now seek to make it a clean sweep, with Cleveland the anticipated victims.

Bay will again count on the likes of Rodney Trott, Ty-Ron Burgess and guest player Detroy Smith to act as catalysts, against a Cleveland team that has already beaten them once in league play.

Premier League action continues this weekend with a full slate of games having been brought forward from September 15.

St. David's will all but wrap up the title with victory over Somerset Bridge at Lord's, leaving the other would-be contenders to battle for Camel Cup spots.

In that regard St. George's entertain Somerset, Bailey's Bay travel to face Warwick, Western Stars visit Devonshire, while Southampton make the trek east to tackle Flatts.

Other matches have PHC hosting Cleveland, and Willow Cuts at home to Police.