Former St. George's president and selection committee chairman, Mansfield (Bojangles) Smith, has called on two of the five selectors to resign immediately after Cup Match, following the controversial dropping of his son Clay Smith.

Smith says he was told personally by two of the selectors -- Gladwin Paynter and Allan Caisey -- before the final trial match that they would not be picking Clay on Saturday night. In the end the vote from the five selectors -- Wendell Smith, captain Herbie Bascome and Calvin Richardson were the others -- went 3-2 against Clay.

Clearly, the former captain's decision to leave St. George's to join St.

David's at the start of the season counted against him as talk started months ago that his Cup Match place was in jeopardy. Mansfield Smith says at least two of the selectors were not being discreet with their feelings about the top batsman's spot.

"I approached two committee men during the week and Gladwin Paynter told me he wouldn't be picking Clay and I asked him why and he said for personal reasons and that he didn't care what he did on Saturday,'' explained Smith.

"I also heard that Allan Caisey had been talking about how he wouldn't be picking Clay. I approached him on Friday night and he told me if Clay got 100 that he wouldn't be in his selection.

"I think both of them are wrong because once you accept the position of selector you have to be impartial and fair and judge according to merit. If a selector feels that way he should keep it to himself.'' It has only been in the last few years that the selection committee at St.

George's has been appointed by the president. Smith told the two committee members when the team was presented to the general membership that they should resign.

"After the selection the president asked if any members had anything to say and, while I didn't name names, I told them that they should offer their resignation right after Cup Match,'' said Smith.

Smith said he personally removed a member from the selection committee two years ago whom he had appointed when he was president because he learned of that member's strong personal views on who should be selected for Cup Match.

And Smith says if current president Louis (Red) DeSilva knew of the current members' feelings on Clay, he should have exercised his power and removed them from the committee.

The omission of Smith and Glenn Blakeney from this year's team certainly pleased Somerset, who are trying to reclaim the cup.

"Clay, to me, is Bermuda's premier batsman and when I found out he was omitted it was a relief to me -- for somebody who is hoping his team goes down there and wins Cup Match,'' said Somerset president Colin Smith.

"Glenn Blakeney is a fantastic batsman also. I can say without Clay, St.

George's are a lesser team.'' Not that Somerset have been without controversy of their own with the recent removal of Dexter Basden as captain. And they caused another stir by leaving out Sammy Robinson, who had an impressive first appearace last year.

President Smith said the selection process was never an easy one and that he backed his committee to pick the best team in the interest of the club.

"No matter who you choose there is always going to be some controversy,'' said Smith.

"Of course people have varying opinions and that's to be expected because not everybody is of the same mind.'' Added Smith: "It's unfortunate some players have been omitted this year.

Sammy had a good year last year, but the selectors made certain decisions that they deemed to be the right decisions.

"I have to wholeheatedly support what they are doing. I put faith in them and will continue to put faith in them.'' Such were the strong feelings among Somerset members over the omission of Robinson, there was talk of calls to overrule the team selection.

"There was talk of that, but that cannot happen,'' said Smith.

"There would have to be extreme circumstances before I or any president would overide a decision by the selection committee. Not in my time has it ever happened.''