time this season when they entertain high riding Willow Cuts at Sea Breeze Oval in one of tomorrow's feature matches in the Premier League.

The Harris Bay boys have been gearing up this week for a tough battle against their western counterparts and will be bolstered by the return of three stalwarts.

Opening batsman Grant Smith and young all-rounder Jermaine Postlethwaite appear likely to make their first appearance of the new season while Peter Philpott is also expected to play after having job commitments curtail his participation in recent weeks.

Wicketkeeper Allan Douglas says he's now optimistic that his team can at the very least maintain their position in the standings -- they currently lie third.

"It looks like a pretty even match-up. Willow Cuts are very much like Cleveland,'' said Douglas yesterday. "We each can beat any team in this country on any given day.'' Douglas added that there was noting particular about tomorrow's opponents that really "jumped out'', but there were a few individuals in the Cuts' line-up who might warrant close attention.

"Rodney Fubler is a top class bowler who's very tight and then there's Richard Basden with the bat who can win games for them and we will have to take care of them.'' One of Cleveland's weaker points so far has been their strike rate -- runs per wicket -- and this will need improvement against Cuts, who have been more prolific in the runs department with a 23.59 total.

"The main thing is to get the points and keep that total ticking,'' said Douglas. "The rest will come later as the wickets improve as the season goes on.'' Both teams have identical three wins, one draw and one loss records making for an intriguing clash.

Another fixture of significance involves reigning league champions St.

George's and Devonshire Rec., two perennial powers that have struggled to find the right combination this year.

Both will get the chance to right the ship on the open spaces of Wellington Oval.

Other matches see Western Stars entertain Hamilton Parish at St. John's field, Somerset Bridge host Nationals, PHC travel to Lord's to face St. David's, Police host Southampton and league leaders Bailey's Bay visit Warwick.

ALLAN DOUGLAS -- `It looks like a pretty even match-up.'