The domestic cricket season begins in earnest today, with the first round of Premier Division fixtures throwing up some intriguing matches.

Defending champions St David's begin the defence of their title with an away trip to Somerset, while their Belco Cup conquerers PHC open with a home clash against league newcomers Willow Cuts.

In the day's other game, last year's First Division champions Devonshire Rec play host to Bailey's Bay. Southampton Rangers have a bye today, because the Under-19s dropped out, but Dwayne Leverock's side will get their first taste of league action this season tomorrow, when they take on Willow Cuts at home in a double-header weekend for most clubs.

St David's second game is at home to Rec, while Bay and PHC meet at Sea Breeze Oval.

It's a difficult start to what could be an interesting season for Kyle Lightbourne's PHC team, who will be riding high after their historic Belco Cup triumph last weekend.

"I think Willow Cuts is going to be a very tough game," said Lightbourne. "They have picked up some excellent players in Chris Douglas, Malachi Jones, and George O'Brien, to name three of them.

"And they are Bermuda internationals, and Willow Cuts have some good players up there already, so it's going to be a good game, and it's hard to call, and that's good for the league. And then we turn around and have another tough game against Bailey's Bay tomorrow, and that's what it's about, you know.

"You're going to win some, and lose some, but the main thing is that we are focused and try and do our best on the day. Not every day are you going to play well."

PHC's cup win surprised a lot of people, and while Lightbourne recognises that the triumph will have made his side a target, he also thinks the experience his team has will stand them in good stead.

"Obviously with us winning the Belco Cup, teams will want to beat us," said Lightbourne. "But we've also got some experience players, we've probably got nine guys that have played Cup Match in our team. When you look at it, we have an experienced team, and it may be a little bit of a mature team, but we are developing some youngsters as well.

"I'd imagine teams will be gunning for us, we're going to lose odd games, and win games. The main thing is that we are prepared.

"I think it comes down to the organisation of the coach, and the coaching staff. Early on in the season, no one is in form, because it's the first game. But (last weekend) we were prepared, we were their on time, we warmed up together, mentally, we were ready for the game as a unit. And sometimes you realise you're in a game, and it can be too late, we talked about that, and we were prepared for it."

With Hasan Durham and Kamau Leverock also available, PHC will have the luxury of making some changes to their team if they wish. Happily for Lightbourne, that isn't a decision he has to worry about making in the summer months.

"I don't know if we are going to have any changes. Obviously I think Hasan and the youngster (Leverock) will be available, but wether they return to the team or not, remains to be seen. That's a decision that's made by the coaching staff, I'm happy to let them make the decision as to who plays, and who doesn't.

"I have enough decision making during the football season."

n Newcomers Titans have pulled out of the Commercial Cricket League after two matches because of a shortage of players.

Titans, who replaced Ernst & Young following their withdrawal after two seasons, lost their opening game to Spring Garden Cavaliers by seven wickets but defaulted their second game against Jamaican Association.

Titans' record has been deleted, leaving five clubs in the league.

Club spokesman Kavi Selvarajah said: "We had a team meeting this week and we identified that the issue we face with regard to the availability of the players is going to be a long-term one due to various reasons.

"We don't want to play bad cricket, so In the best interest of everyone in the league, we decided that we pull out of the league now."

Tomorrow's key match between Cavaliers and North Village has been switched from Warren Simmons Community Field to Shelly Bay. In the other game, BC Allrounders take on Jamaican Association at Garrison Field, leaving Forties with the bye.

It was agreed at a league meeting on Thursday night that the annual Memorial Cup match between defending league champions and knockout winners, which normally kicks off the season, will be played on June 20. Forties will face Village.