January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Stars will need to shine to beat Rangers
On Saturday at 11am
At Southampton Oval
Western Stars are really struggling this season, particularly with the bat, where their shortcomings were exposed by the spin bowling of St David's Delyone Borden in the BELCO Cup last weekend.
Borden ran riot taking five for 16 in eight overs as Stars bats struggled to cope with the slow-bowling onslaught. There will be no let up this weekend with Rangers' experienced spinner Olin Jones currently the league's top bowler.
His son Malachi is in fine form with both bat and ball and Rangers look unstoppable right now.
Social Club v Warwick
On Saturday at 11am
At Devonshire Rec
Warwick are finally starting to get their promotion winning team back together after a series of injuries and young players being unavailable because of school.
They should prove a much tougher proposition for Social Club, the surprise league leaders, than they would have been a few weeks ago.
Daniel Morgan is expected to return to the middle-order hungry for runs after a drought with the national team, while Lamar Caines should lead the bowling attack.
Social Club are without Kevin Hurdle for the best part of the season after he signed to play club cricket in England but are always a threat with Charlie Marshall in the line up.
Flatts v Bailey's Bay
On Saturday at 11am
At Lord's, St David's
Bailey's Bay welcomed back Jim West and Irving Romaine last weekend and immediately saw an improvement with the ball, though Burton Outerbridge was the main wicket-taker continuing his good form.
Romaine didn't fire with the bat, but is in tremendous shape and should give Flatts some problems.
Phillip Burgess and Lloyd Fray have been in good form for Flatts but it would be a surprise if they overcame Bay on Saturday.
Western Stars v St David's
On Sunday at 11am
At St John's Field
Stars won't fancy renewing their rivalry with St David's after being skittled for just 92 in the BELCO Cup last weekend.
Borden was the east end hero, but George O'Brien is also bowling well. He went for just four runs off six overs of seam last weekend.
Del Hollis is also in good nick for an excellent young St. David's side and even with a full complement of national team players Stars should struggle.
Flatts v Warwick
On Sunday at 11am
At Lord's, St David's
With just a couple of games gone it's already looking like another tough season for last year's strugglers Flatts. They should have Bermuda wicket-keeper Dean Minors back behind the stumps, though, and his presence could provide a much needed boost to the batting order as well.
Social Club v Bailey's Bay
On Sunday at 11am
At Devonshire Rec
Social Club have blazed a trail in the 50-over league so far, unbeaten in four and sitting on top of the pile.
This weekend will provide a stiff test of whether they have what it takes to stay there. Bay seem more likely challengers to Southampton Rangers but you can't ignore the formbook. This should be an interesting game.
Southampton Rangers v Somerset
On Sunday at 11am
At Southampton Oval
Three defeats in three games doesn't tell the whole story about Somerset's season so far. They've been better than that.
But things are unlikely to improve for them this weekend with the mighty Rangers hosting their west end neighbours.
It will be a chance for Somerset's Cup Match selectors to get another look at Malachi Jones, who looks increasingly likely to make his debut in this year's classic. And if they come away from Southampton Oval with nothing else, the Somerset administration should at least have a notepad full of names for their squad to take on St George's.
First Division
Police v PHC
On Saturday at 11am
At Police Field
Both sides were soundly beaten last weekend and will be looking for better performances on Sunday.
If Carlton Jackson and Anderson Cummerbatch can recapture the form that saw them batter Western Stars in the Central Counties Cup two weekends ago then Police could be back in business.
Leg Trappers v
Devonshire Rec
On Saturday at 11am
At Sea Breeze Oval
After missing out so narrowly on promotion last time, following a disputed result, Rec look determined that nothing will be left to chance this time.
They are flying high at the top of the division, having played a game less than most of their nearest rivals.
Leg Trappers have had some fine individual performances and their batsmen feature heavily in the top averages lists, but they are one win from four at the moment, which isn't promotion form.
St George's v Police
On Sunday at 11am
At Wellington Oval
While Southampton Rangers' father-and-son team Olin and Malachi Jones have been grabbing the headlines of late, St. George's double act of Herbie and Oronde Bascome will be the Father's Day duo to watch at Wellington Oval this weekend.
St. George's have a 100 per cent record so far and will be keen to make some ground on Devonshire Rec in what should be a fairly comfortable win.
Somerset Bridge v Cleveland
On Sunday at 11am
At White Hill Field
Cleveland look like one of the stronger sides in the division this year, with Dennis Musson jnr leading the charge.
Bridge are struggling again but are getting close to recording that first win. Ezekiel Greenwood struck a half-century and Jermaine Salam took six wickets on their last outing against Rec so the talent is there, it's just a case of bringing it together as a team.
Leg Trappers v PHC
On Sunday at 11am
At Sea Breeze Oval
Leg Trappers will fancy their chances of improving their position against a PHC side, which has so far failed to deliver.
Willow Cuts v
Devonshire Rec
On Saturday at 11am
At SCC
Cuts, with Reggie Tucker in form, should provide a test of Devonshire Rec's title credentials on Sunday.
But with two games in a weekend Rec, lead by Dean Stephens, will hope to put some daylight between themselves and the competition.[[In-content Ad]]
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