undefeated -- which would effectively ruin Western Stars' dream of winning five trophies during the current campaign.

Smith played his first competitive match of the season on Sunday and extended the team's winning streak in the league to eight matches this season and 15 stretching back to the middle of last season.

Graham Fox has handled the team admirably in Smith's absence by leading the team to seven straight league wins, the only blemish being a loss to Western Stars in the Camel Cup semifinal.

Sunday's 60-run win over Bailey's Bay keeps the east-enders two points clear of nearest rivals and defending champions Stars whom they still have to meet on August 1.

Smith experienced some stiffness in his right knee yesterday after Sunday's hard-fought win, but nothing a long swim could not cure. Otherwise, he has no complaints about the way his first outing of the season went.

"I'm very pleased with the innings,'' he said. "I was a bit aggressive and was looking to play my shots. Luckily we had a wicket that played well, which allowed me to do that.'' Smith was greeted in his first match back by a Terry Burgess bouncer first ball, which he negotiated quite comfortably.

And when Burgess later pitched one up Smith drove him through long-off for four. There was not too much in the Bailey's Bay pace attack to trouble Smith who put on 74 for the first wicket with another left-hander, Dexter Smith.

"It was a good wicket to bat on and I just decided to play my shots whenever they over-pitched or were short,'' explained the captain. "Dexter and I just wanted to get us off to a solid start.'' Wendell's innings ended on 38 when teenage spinner Damon Edwards beat him with a delivery that drifted into him as Smith started to come down the crease to attack.

"Their young spinner seemed to be their best bowler, he was quite impressive,'' he said. "It was his flight that was deceptive.'' With the season half over Smith has not set himself any personal goals other than to fully recover from the injury that has kept him on the sidelines.

"The knee is sore today and I've been overboard for a good hour trying to get some of the stiffness out,'' he disclosed.

"I only have one goal with St. George's and that is for our team to go the entire league season undefeated. For me personally the biggest test will come this weekend if I'm picked to play on Saturday (Eastern Counties) and the very next day against Stars in the knockout.''