St Pierre the main threat to treble bid

THE Barclays Evening League Division One gets under way tonight with a real humdinger of a match. Defending champions Cobo take on Optimists at the KGV and the clash between the island's 'big two' for the last few years will be a litmus paper test for the rest of the season.

'It's happened for the last couple for years that we've played Optis first up,' said Cobo and island captain Stuart Le Prevost.

'If you want to win the league, you've got to beat the best teams. It's bish-bash when we play each other.

'Also, it's probably going to be a 16-over game so it's going to very difficult to get bowled out. It's the sides that tend to bowl better who do well and that's what makes the difference in a game like that.'

Cobo will be looking to make a hat-trick of evening leagues this season, having won it the last two years.

'You've got to go into it confident,' said Le Prevost.

'We play in leagues to win them. We want to win it but winning isn't everything.

'But we like to think that we can retain the trophy.'

The only missing players from Cobo's ranks tonight are young island all-rounder Kris Moherndl, who is at the European Cricket Council's cricket academy in La Manga, and veteran swing bowler Mark Renouf who is away on business.

Elizabeth College fast bowler Pete Le Hegarat is set to feature as will island all-rounder Jamie Nussbaumer who returns to university tomorrow.

On the other hand, Optimists are fielding a much-weakened side. They will be without Ami Banerjee, who is arguably the best batsman in the island, and opener Mark Clapham.

'I think we're struggling for this one,' said captain Andy Biggins.

'Obviously it's a tough start for us especially as Cobo played at the weekend against Weymouth. They have got to be favourites for the Evening League but it's going to be a short game so you can never really tell.

'We've never really been a good Evening League team. I think we're going to be mid-table but you never know.

'We're going to use it as an opportunity for people to get some form for the weekends.'

While Cobo and Optis will certainly be near the top of the pile come the end, newly promoted Chandlers could have a struggle on their hands. The former Deloitte team were relegated two years ago but they bounced straight back up to be with the big boys again.

The Dave Clark-captained side contains familiar faces such as Gary de Carteret, Neil Fitchet, Simon Huxtable and Paul Finn.

They are joined by promising juniors such as Clark's son, Johnny, Ben McVey and James Smith.

'Our aim is to try and stay where we are,' said Clark senior.

'I think because we went down for a year, coming back up, it will take time to get used to it. It is a big jump and once we get into it, we'll be all right.

'But I don't think Cobo and the others have to worry too much about us winning the league.'

Chandlers are not the only new team in the league, with the newly formed Corinthians also in the mix.

Formed over the winter when Pessimists and Taverners joined forces, the only Taverners player in the Corinthians A team is seam bowler Jonny Orme.

They also boast top juniors Tim Ravenscroft, Tom Kirk and Will Thompson.

One team who are sure to push Cobo for the title are the 2002 and 2003 champions, St Pierre.

Led by last season's GCA player of the year Justin Meades, their title chances have been boosted by the arrival of South African GH Smit from Optimists.

Like Meades, Smit is a devastating batsmen and they now must be considered second favourites behind Cobo.