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Bailey's Bay player/coach Irving Romaine believes his talented young squad are ready to challenge for the Premier Division title - in their first season back in the top flight.

Two-time champs Social Club and perennial winners Southampton Rangers and St. David's have already been chalked up as the favourites.

But the word from a revamped Sea Breeze Oval is that a Bay squad bursting with young talent is ready to take on the big boys.

Romaine, fellow national team star Glenn Blakeney and new signing Wendell White provide an experienced backbone.

But it is the youth that has got Romaine feeling particularly positive about the new season.

Seam bowler Kyle Hodsoll arrived at Sea Breeze in the close season and joins a host of his former Under-19 team-mates including Rodney Trott and Dennico Hollis.

And current Under-19 stars like skipper Terryn Fray, Tre Govia and Latiff Trott are expected to play an even bigger role this season.

"We've been pushing the youth for the past few seasons and I'm really looking forward to them coming of age this year," said Romaine.

"It should be very interesting. They are all motivated and eager to try and win the league and Eastern Counties."

Romaine said Bay had up to 30 players at training and were organizing mid-week friendly matches to give their reserve players a run-out.

And with Stephen Outerbridge - one of Bermuda's standout players at the ICC World Cup Qualifier in South Africa - also set to return before the end of the month, there is plenty of reason for optimism.

Romaine said there had also been infrastructure improvements at Sea Breeze Oval with a larger field and improved training nets.

"Everything is looking pretty good. The whole atmosphere is very good. If we can have our best players available for the whole season then we should definitely compete. We have enough talent, I'm sure of that."

Romaine, who has put the national team ahead of domestic commitments for the past few seasons, could be ready to make a Cup Match return this summer.

The hard-hitting batsman hasn't played in the classic for several years. But with no fixtures currently scheduled for the national squad he could be in line to make his Somerset comeback.

"I've been asked by some people to think about having a final hurrah and it is definitely something I'm considering."

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