clear-cut favourite for the Camel Cup Match MVP award, which will be presented tonight at a cocktail reception at Fort Hamilton.

But while it would be hard to predict this year's winner of the award, it looks certain that a new name will be added to the list of past winners, for none of the leading candidates have won before.

Amongst the favourites are St. George's trio Dean Minors, David Adams and Lionel Cann and Somerset's Jeff Richardson, Richard Basden and Dexter Basden.

Minors notched the top score in the classic last week, blasting his way to his highest Cup Match score of 83 from only 39 deliveries in 63 minutes as St.

George's chased a declaration in the morning session of the second day.

Of his runs, 72 came in boundaries from 10 sixes and three fours as the crowd was thrilled by his strokeplay.

Spinner Adams was responsible for restricting Somerset to 207 for nine in the first innings with his figures of four for 62 from 23 successive overs. He also bowled 20 overs in the second innings when Somerset got stuck in for the draw and took one for 66.

Cann, in his first Cup Match, produced a fine all-round performance and brought a new level of enthusiasm to the classic.

The 20-year-old colt bowled 25 overs -- of which the first two were maidens -- in the match and finished with two for 53, held two catches in the deep and stroked 44, which included three fours and three sixes, in the only St.

George's innings.

Jeff Richardson, playing in only his second Cup Match, had two good knocks with the bat for Somerset, top-scoring in their first innings with 47 and then reaching the half-century mark for the first time in Cup Match in the second when he scored 55 not out as the match ended in a tame draw. Richard Basden was the surprise top bowler in the match, claiming five for 107 from 19 overs as he broke the St. George's opening stand of 88 between Arnold Manders and Dexter Smith.

Basden's older brother Dexter scored 70 in the Somerset second innings during 126 minutes at the crease, hitting three fours and five sixes to share in a third-wicket stand of 98 with Albert Steede.

Also scoring half-centuries in the match were Arnold Manders and Charlie Marshall of St. George's. Manders also claimed two for 20 in the Somerset first innings and one for 58 in the second.

The award is sponsored by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company through their Bermuda representatives Pitt and Company and in affiliation with the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control.

It has been dominated by St. George's players since its inception in 1982 when Noel Gibbons picked up the first of his three awards.

The only Somerset player to win was Anthony Amory in 1989 after a knock of 69 not out on his debut, which still stands as the sixth highest score by a colt in Cup Match.

Previous winners: Noel Gibbons (1982), Allen Richardson (1983), Stan Smith (1984), Clevie Wade (1985), Noel Gibbons (1986), Noel Gibbons (1987), Arnold Manders (1988), Anthony Amory (1989), Allan Douglas (1990), Wendell Smith (1991), Wendell Smith (1992).

LIONEL CANN -- Made an exciting debut.

SPIN DEMON -- David Adams is congratulated by St. George's fans during his fine first-day performance.

TOP GUNS -- St. George's wicket-keeper Dean Minors and Somerset's Dexter Basden made scores of 83 and 70 respectively.