---

After two decades in the thick of the Cup Match action and over 1,000 runs for St. George's, Clay Smith could have been forgiven for putting his feet up with a cooler of ice cold beer and sitting back and enjoying the action.

But the boy who grew up within a stone's throw of Wellington Oval has Cup Match tradition in his blood.

And, despite retiring last season, he'll be right back in the fray this year, as the tactician charged with masterminding a victory for his beloved St. George's.

"I've always considered myself a strategic person," said the former east end skipper who has taken over coaching duties for the holders.

"This gives me the chance to approach it from a different aspect. I've basically played every year since making my debut in 1987, as a 16-year-old. I've only missed two Cup Matches since then.

"It's been a good ride but right now I'm enjoying being out of the hustle and bustle.

"I can't even imagine being away from the game. When I stepped down as a player I knew I would stay involved somehow and it just so happens that I have come back to St. George's as coach and I'm going to have an integral role to play again."

Smith, assisted by Herbie Bascome and Clevie Wade, will run the rule over the final trial game on Saturday before sitting down with the selectors for a meeting that is expected to run long in to the night.

"Everybody playing that final trial game is in with a chance. It is going to be a long night for the selectors. Just looking at the seamers - we've got six bowlers there with international experience and we've got to choose three. That's just one aspect of the team.

"We've got 22 very good players for Saturday's trial games and I'm sure we're going to come out of that selection meeting with a team that is capable of beating Somerset."

Both Landro Minors, who smashed a maiden unbeaten century in the Eastern County cup on Saturday, and youngster Deunte Darrell, who has been in a rich vein of form for Willow Cuts, were named in St. George's final trial sides. But both are expected to be named in Somerset's trials as well.

"We picked Chris Douglas in our trial match last year and he ended up playing for Somerset. Some players get invited to both trial matches and it is ultimately down to them who they play for.

"I'll probably talk to those players (Minors and Darrell) but I'm not going to pressure anybody to play for St. George's. They have to want to be part of it."

Smith, who was criticized in some quarters last season, for blocking for a draw on the final day, insisted his side would play for a win.

"The St. George's mentality is always to try and win first but you have to have an alternative plan if things don't go your way.

"We consider ourselves crowd pleasers and we will try to entertain and to win the game unless you have a situation like last year where we were struggling and had to show character and do what we had to do to hold on to the cup," said Smith, who finished his final Cup Match unbeaten on 18 from 73 balls.

St. George's final trial

match Squads

President's XI: Lionel Cann, Delyone Borden, Chris Foggo, Glenn Blakeney, Fiqre Crockwell, Deunte Darrell, Richard Todd, Angelo Cannonier, Ryan Steede, George O'Brien, Kyle Hodsoll. Reserves: Lateef Trott, Akeem Trott, Jonte Smith.

Vice President's XI: Oronde Bascome, Rodney Trott, Jason Anderson, Charlie Marshall, Landro Minors, James Celestine, Machai Simmons, Dennico Hollis, Justin Pitcher, Stefan Kelly, Greg Foggo. Reserves: Brian Hall, Christian Burgess, Ricky Foggo.

The game takes place at Wellington Oval on Saturday, followed by the selection meeting.

[[In-content Ad]]

---