Islanders prepared to `forgive and forget' By Lawrence Trott St. David's are prepared to bury the hatchet and extend an invitation to Albert Steede to appear as a guest player in the Eastern Counties final this Saturday -- a year after it seemed the dashing batsman had played his last match for the Islanders.

It has been confirmed that Steede, who fell out with the club last year when he went back on an agreement to join them as player-coach for the 1994 season, has been approached about playing in this weekend's final against champions Bailey's Bay at Sea Breeze Oval.

Steede will be considered for selection along with Wendell Smith and possibly former club player Allen Richardson who played for PHC in the league this season.

The selection committee meets tonight and two other guest players who were in last year's team may also come into the picture -- Cleveland's Del Hollis and Wayne Richardson of Western Stars who made his debut in last year's final.

"There is no club policy on guest players, each one will be considered on their own merits,'' said President Eddie Lamb who is in favour of Steede returning.

In fact, if the guest players are chosen then Lamb, who opens the batting for the team in league play, could be one of those to miss out.

"Obviously each guest player will have their own pluses and minuses and the selectors have been charged with picking a team they think is capable of wresting the cup from Bailey's Bay,'' said Lamb. "If that team includes some guest players then so be it.'' No doubt Steede's inclusion will be the major topic of conversation among club members tonight after the team is selected, some in favour of his return and others still not willing to forgive and forget.

Lamb is one who is.

"This year we will take a `laissez-faire' approach to the selection process.

It's a thorny issue every year but there is no official policy at our club regarding the inclusion or exclusion of guest players.'' Last year Steede was selected but later withdrew after club members, led by players Lionel Cann and James Pace, reacted angrily to his inclusion. Cann and Pace threatened to withdraw from the team if Steede played.

Cann is expected to be confirmed as captain tonight while Pace is serving a suspension imposed by the club earlier this year. Pace's six month ban ends on Friday but he is not expected to be considered.

Steede, who returned from his honeymoon on the weekend, admitted yesterday that he was interested in helping out the team, though after last year's experience he must be worried about the reception he will receive.

"The members are fine, it's just how the players feel,'' said Steede. "I told them I would think about it when they approached me. I had so much going on with the wedding.

"I'll help them out, no problem. I love cricket.'' Steede admits there has been much more "good than bad'' since he made his Eastern Counties debut at the age of 16. In the nine years he has played in the competition he has amassed 604 runs, starting off with 57 on his debut in 1985.

Steede is the leading batsman this season with more than 1,000 runs. He was the Cup Match MVP and looks certain to win the league's MVP award as well. He has an outstanding record in the Eastern Counties and if selected would boost the team's batting considerably.

"Attempts have been made to heal those wounds,'' admitted Lamb. "We have made overtures towards him (Steede), but at this time of speaking I'm not sure if he has responded, either positively or negatively, or at all.

"It doesn't mean that things have not been ironed out. We are a progressive club and progress means forgetting the mistakes of the past and pressing on to the greater achievements of the future.'' Added Lamb: "That's our philosophy at this moment. They say a week is a long time in politics but 24 hours is a long time in sporting clubs.

"The point is Albert is being considered, pending one or two minor details.

But I don't want to preclude or pre-empt the selection process. The main approach I and management have taken is let the selection committee do their job of selecting.

"They have been empowered and it is our will that they carry out that power in the best interest of the club. I don't like our club to be mired in controversy, management getting into the act of dictating to the selectors who will or will not be picked.

"I have total confidence in the competence of my selectors and that they will pick a team they deem able to get what belongs to us.'' ALBERT STEEDE -- `I'll help them out...I love cricket.'