of the Western Counties today, while opponents Warwick will pick from a strong squad of 15 for the match at Southampton Oval (11.00 start).

Again Rangers have included guest players Dexter Smith of Devonshire Rec., who will open their batting, and Bailey's Bay bowler Clarkie Trott, who will share the new ball with Garry Williams.

In the first round Rangers made short work of PHC, dismissing them for just 53 after scoring 182 themselves. But it should be a closer match this time with Warwick fielding a balanced team that includes top performers in Cup Match, Mark Ray and Sammy Robinson as their guest players.

Robinson, who grew up in Warwick, will make his debut in the competition along with former St. David's team-mate Reginald Pitcher who has been playing for Warwick in the league this season.

As in Cup Match, Robinson was preferred over Treadwell Gibbons for the challengers and the presence of Robinson and Ray will give Warwick's batting a tremendous boost.

Warwick have put off naming their eleven until this morning when conditions will be taken into consideration. They are gunning for revenge after losing the cup to Rangers last year and, despite their recent results, should provide good opposition for the champions.

Another Cup Match hero, Kwame Tucker of Rangers, will be looking to carry on the good performance he produced with the bat and behind the stumps.

Teams Southampton: Olin Jones (capt), Janeiro Tucker (vice capt), Keith Wainwright, Kwame Tucker, Carl Garzette, Dwayne Steede, Dexter Smith, Clarkie Trott, David Saltus, Garry Williams, Ryan Belboda. Res: David Burchall, Aaron Burrows.

Warwick: (from) Alan Wilkinson (capt), Daniel Caines, Dudley Lightbourne, Hoyte Zuill, John Nusum, Kevin Tucker, Mark Ray, Perry Scott, Reginald Pitcher (colt), Ritchie Foggo, Sammy Robinson (colt), Stevie Lightbourne, Trent Lightbourne, Trent Simmons, Blake Raynor.

The battle for the Premier Division Overs title will go down to the wire.

That looks a certainty after Bailey's Bay took over top spot from St. George's last weekend when they not only beat Western Stars but improved their net run rate. Both teams are unbeaten in five games.

The difference in the net run rate -- 2.64 for Bay and 2.02 for St. George's -- gives Bay a decisive edge as they have to play Devonshire Rec. (tomorrow) and St. David's (August 23) in their last two matches while St. George's face Willow Cuts and Police.

Bay are at home to Devonshire Rec. in their key match while St. George's entertain Willow Cuts at Wellington Oval in a reunion of the Cup Match captains.

After being threatened with a two-to-one, how Dexter Basden would love to spoil Clay Smith's dream of landing the Open title.

At Southampton Oval, Sammy Robinson will be back in St. David's colours for the meeting against Warwick, for whom Reginald Pitcher will star against his former team. The match at St. John's Field features Central Counties rivals Western Stars and Police.