remain in the running for another when they meet Police today in the Central Counties final at St. John's field.

But the defending champions certainly can't afford to take their opponents lightly as Police held a slight edge in meetings between these two clubs in the Central Counties during the 1990s.

The clubs have met nine times (their third round meeting in 1992 was rained out) with Police winning five and Stars the other four.

Lately, when the Central Counties Cup has changed hands it has often been in matches between these two sides. Police beat Stars in the second round in 1990 and again in the first round in '91. Stars won in '93, '94 and '95 before Police ended Stars' 14-match winning streak with victory by 29 runs in the 1996 final.

Then, after Police won again in '97 and '98, their own reign ended last year when Stars hammered their weakened opponents by 183 runs.

It might not be that one-sided today -- even though Stars signalled their intentions with a 110-run win in the Knockout Cup last Saturday -- but the home team should be firm favourites.

Victory would assure Stars of being the Central Counties representatives in the Champion of Champions scheduled for September.

Their batting has plenty of depth as was seen last weekend against Bay when top bat Albert Steede failed and opening partner Treadwell Gibbons took on the responsibility with a boundary-filled 122.

And with the likes of Ricky Brangman, Jermaine Postlethwaite, Cleon Scotland, Arnold Manders and Saleem Mukudem to follow, it could be a long day in the field for Police if Stars bat first.

Stars, the last unbeaten team in the Premier League following recent losses by Somerset and St. David's at the hands of St. George's, will aim to make it six league wins on the trot when they travel to Somerset to meet the third-placed west enders tomorrow.

Stars, St. David's and Somerset all have 25 points, but Stars have an edge in that they have played one game less. But they might not move five points clear just yet as St. David's should return to their winning ways at the expense of Warwick at home.

Other matches see Police entertaining St. George's at Police field, Bailey's Bay hosting Devonshire Rec. at Sea Breeze Oval and Social Club playing PHC at St. John's in a clash of the winless teams.

Southampton Rangers will be aiming to add to the misery of Willow Cuts by inflicting a fifth loss on them at Southampton Oval while the remaining match sees Cleveland playing Somerset Bridge at Wellington Oval.