This is the first time in the BRFU's history that the First and Second Divisions have switched playing days.

It is hoped that this will allow coaches to view Second Division players on a Sunday and also allow senior players to assist with the youth development programme on Sundays without having to play on the same day.

Another controversial rule change involves the introduction of the `Sin Bin' -- a practice adopted successfully in the Southern Hemisphere and other countries like Wales in recent years and used for the first time in the English rugby leagues last weekend.

The rule allows a 10-minute cooling off period for a player as ordered by the referee in cases where a sending off offence is considered too harsh.

Examples where the law applies may be retaliation, dissent, repeated law infringements, etc.

However, the `white card' rule does not absolve referees from any responsibility and must be applied by all referees, an official noted. The Referees' Society has promised a visit to all local clubs to explain the new law.

The local season kicks off at 5 p.m. tomorrow when a Bermuda President's XV take on the touring Le Vieux Rugby Club from New York at Nationals. Domestic competition starts on Sunday at Malabar Field, Ireland Island when the annual Sandys Boat Club Tournament takes place, starting at 1 p.m. Le Vieux will also be competing in this round robin event, and in fact won the trophy two years ago.

The rugby calendar's emphasis for the 1998-99 season is on the local Beck's rugby leagues, without the interruption of the World Cup games (Bermuda were knocked out by Chile last October).

However, the season will see Bermuda travelling to the Bahamas for another Caribbean Championship in October that will include Trinidad, Jamaica, Cayman, Bahamas and Bermuda, with Bermuda the favourites to retain the championship trophy.

In addition, Pittsburgh Harlequins RFC will be visiting at the same time that the World Rugby Classic is staged in November. Brunel University of London has also expressed an interest in playing in Bermuda in 1999.

GOLF THE field for the Gillette Tour challenge at Mid Ocean on September 29 has been finalised.

The addition of Jim Furyk now means that there will be 24 players involved, comprising of eight three-person teams. Each team will include one player from each of the three tours.

The field consists of the top money winners from the 45-event, season-long Gillette Tour Challenge series, the top money winners from each tour and sponsor invites.

The male field is as follows: Lee Janzen, Hale Irwin, John Daly, Billy Andrade, Jim Furyk, Robert Gamez, Scott Hoch, Payne Stewart, Nick Price, Hugh Baiocchi, Jim Colbert, Hubert Green, Gil Morgan, Waltger Morgan, Jay Sigel, Lee Trevino.

The LPGA field consist of Annika Sorenstam, Donna Andrews, Laura Davies, Chris Johnson, Rosie Jones, Michelle McGann, Se Ri Pak and Kelly Robbins.

FIELD HOCKEY HOC Mark (Beaver) Ray celebrated the start of the new Bermuda Hockey Association men's league season by netting five goals for Nationals Rebels in their 9-0 rout of a weakened Polecats on Sunday at Nationals.

The game was controlled by the rebels from the outset as new goalkeeper Bryan Hill had little trouble posting a shutout in his senior league debut. But the Polecats goalkeeper didn't have things so easy as Ray led the scoring with Donny Moniz firing in two and Kirk Edmunds and Danny Faria one each.

In the first match Upstarts and Wasps came away with a share of the points in a 2-2 draw. After a scoreless first half, Adam Yodkley put Upstarts ahead from the penalty spot.

Wasps replied with a controversial goal from Simon Farrington who found the net after a Scott DeCosta cross. Donny Madeiros then finished his own rebounded shot to put Wasps in the lead.

However, it took Upstarts less than a minute to organise a reply from Yodkley who again found the net to earn the draw.

CRICKET CRI Court Street Liquors won the annual Vincent Price trophy when they defeated Elliott Street Deli by one run at Lord's. Scores: Elliott Deli 154, Liquors 153.

Top bats for Liquors were R.Seaman with 50 and G.Williams with 37 while high scorers for the Deli were Thomas Ball with 34 and captain Bervin Pitt with 22.

Best of the bowlers for the Liquors were C.Nesbitt with two for 17 and Seaman two for 21.

Top Deli bowlers were C.Ward with four for 24, Pitt with three for 19 and V.Tweed with three for 42.

Ward took MVP honours.