Dwindling attendance and lack of interest has left the Western Counties Cup fighting for survival.

Western Counties Cricket Association (WCCA) treasurer Vance Gilbert yesterday acknowledged another poor year in terms of revenue, but was optimistic the tournament would return to prosperity.

Not since the era of the 1960s and '70s, when Southampton Rangers and Warwick were major powers containing the likes of the Raynor -- Eldon, Sheridan, Lee, Lloyd and Willard -- and James clans -- Lloyd and Elvin -- has there been more than remote interest.

The declining status of the competition was evident during last week's two-day final between holders Somerset Bridge and Warwick at White Hill Field, which attracted only a few hundred spectators to a ground capable of hosting 3,000 comfortably.

Bridge held onto the Cup after battling back from the brink of defeat to snatch a draw.

"We'll probably break even,'' said Gilbert, who noted gate receipts of approximately $800. "(But) we'll survive.. .we have to survive.

"The clubs are not really making anything from it and, basically, we're just trying to keep cricket alive in the west end.'' PHC were officially added as a competing member prior to the start of this year's competition, with the Warwick club set to make their debut in 1997.

However, with Warwick and Bridge wallowing in a mediocre First Division and Willow Cuts the only Premier Division side involved, the logic behind bringing in yet another team from the lower division has been questioned.

Gilbert defended the move, noting that PHC had perhaps a better following than most and had performed better than either Warwick or Bridge and warranted inclusion. Thus, he believed, the standard would not be lowered but enhanced as a result.

The treasurer believes it to be necessary for organisers to better advertise the competition which, along with the Central Counties, stands as an `ugly stepchild' to its Eastern counterpart.

"I think we have to start promoting it more at the beginning of the season and advertise more, while at the same time try to get more of the ex-players and their families out.'' Meanwhile, champions Bailey's Bay have made two changes to their team for tomorrow's Eastern Counties final, despite winning the previously round handily against Cleveland.

Brought in for what should be a more formidable challenge offered by St.

David's at Sea Breeze Oval are batsman Devrae Hollis and left-arm medium pace bowler Dennis Pilgrim, replacing batsmen Cal Dill and Irving Burgess.

Not surprisingly included in the team are veteran allrounder Noel Gibbons -- brought in once again from his English Essex league side Buckhurst -- and batsman Glenn Smith of Northumberland's Benwell.

Smith remained in Bermuda after the second-round clash against Cleveland to concentrate on the national programme.

Gibbons played an instrumental role in Bay's emphatic seven-wicket victory over Cleveland in the previous round by taking three for 16.

The Bailey's Bay team is as follows: Ricky Hill (capt), Roger Trott (vice-capt), Glenn Smith, Charlie Marshall, Noel Gibbons, Anthony Braithwaite, Clarkie Trott, Corey Hill, Irving Romaine, Devrae Hollis, Dennis Pilgrim. Res: Cal Dill, Steven Outerbridge.