Always one of the favourites, but never quite able to fulfill that promise, the new Eastern Counties champions will again enter a new season with great expectations.

"This season we are actually in every major trophy and we'll be trying to concentrate on winning the league and Camel Cup, just trying our best,'' said Chris Smith, who will enter his fourth season as captain.

"The highlight of Smith's captaincy was winning back the Eastern Counties last year when they beat St. David's in the final.

By the time they open the defence of their title in July, the Camel Cup, which they have never won, will have been decided and the league and knockout cups will be shaping up. Bay are hoping to be strong contenders for all three.

Charlie Marshall, who is taking a break after a demanding ICC, and Ricky Hill, who is in Barbados for the Test match, will both miss the start of the season.

That will rob Smith of two of his most experienced batsmen, but he will still have veteran Noel Gibbons to call on as well as bowlers Terry Burgess, Clarkie Trott and Anthony Braithwaite.

There are no signings or losses to speak of so Smith will be working with the same squad as last year with Glenn Smith the vice captain. The captain is expecting a lot from youngsters like Devrae Hollis, Jermaine Outerbridge and Damon Edwards, a promising off-spinner.

Signings: None Losses: None ST. DAVID'S Despite failing to land batsman Albert Steede and spinner David Adams, two of the best at what they do, St. David's still have high hopes for the 1994 season.

Herbie Bascome will make his debut as captain in Sunday's opener against Willow Cuts as the Islanders begin their bid for a top four finish.

Also high on their list of priorities is regaining of the Eastern Counties Cup they lost to Bailey's Bay last season.

"That's the main thing, trying to get that back,'' admitted Bascome this week.

Bascome says St. David's will not be anywhere near full strength until about the third week of the season. "It seems like the season is coming too quick for us,'' he said.

"Some of the senior players are not really committed. I've got to make the guys want to play. The ability is there.'' Bascome is pleased with the all-round strength of the team, particularly in the bowling where he is confident he will have back Ken Pitcher and Dale Fox to go with Steve Nurse, Scott Minors and the captain himself. Then there is also the seam bowling of Lionel Cann and Sammy Robinson and the spin of Reginald Pitcher, Sea Pitcher and youngster Cameron Fox.

"The bowling, without a doubt, we've got more than enough,'' said Bascome.

"The only area we're struggling is the wicket-keeper.'' The experience of Allen Richardson and James Pace will be important to the batting, but the real test will be trying to gel the youth and experience.

"If I can get the senior players to commit to the game a top-four finish is no problem,'' Bascome feels. "We've got the youth and they are showing a lot of interest.'' Key additions: None Key losses: None SOCIAL CLUB Dwayne Adams, better known for his outstanding goalkeeping qualities, has taken on the demanding task of helping Social Club gain prominence in cricket.

As he goes into his first full season as captain of the team that has struggled in the Premier Division for the past few years, Adams is not asking much of his players other than for them to do their best to improve on last season.

"Social Club were a team to be reckoned with a long time ago, but in recent years they haven't done much and I would like to see us get some of that lost recognition back,'' said the new skipper.

"I don't expect us to produce any miracles, I just want everybody to play their hardest so that we can be competitive and be a much better team.'' The young skipper feels that their strength this season lies in their bowling which will be spearheaded by the experienced left-arm fast bowler Vance Gilbert and medium-pacers Roddy Thompson, Cecil Tucker and young Kyle Furbert.

Backing up the attack bowlers will be spinners Earlston Wolffe, who joined them two seasons ago from Southampton, David Saltus who comes over from PHC and young Jermaine Tucker.

Their batting may not have established players, but Adams is counting on good support from openers Thomas Brangman, former skipper Webster Mills, Leonard Gilks, Cecil and Jermaine Tucker, Cory Berkeley and himself.

"I want us to give a respectable performance in the league and the Central Counties, no more than that,'' said the captain.

Key additions: Vance Gilbert from Willow Cuts Key loses: None PHC Calvin Waldron, who will enter his first full season as skipper of the team, claims that he will ask no more of his players other than to improve on last season's performance.

"We are still relatively new to Premier Division cricket as we enter our second season, but I would like to see us play more consistent,'' said Waldron.

The make-up of the team will not vary much from last season, with the only addition being Kallan Johnston who joins them from Warwick. It is a signing that Waldron feels will give the team a tremendous boost in their batting department.

"Our strength will be in our batting as the inclusion of Johnston means that we will have more options to use players in different batting positions, unlike before,'' said the skipper.

Among the others Waldron is counting on for runs this season are William Minors, Mark Smith, Sheridan Ming and Kevin Dill.

The bowling could provide Waldron with his biggest headache.

Waldron's goal for the season: "I would like to get rid of our label as being a newcomer so that we can develop into becoming a more forceful side in local cricket.'' Key additions: Kallan Johnston Key losses: None