Halfway through the Super league season, the experimentation with new foreign players still continues in Killarney, where the search for an ideal pair of Americans has been going on now for over three months.
There have been signs, though, that they are making progress and Robbie Turner's 31 points in the narrow defeat by title contenders Waterford last weekend should secure his place in the near future with the Kerry club.
But after the departure of Jamal Chretien to Dungannon and the release of Terry Thomas, Killarney have now registered former London Leopards player David Kruse. His arrival looks like weakening the position in the club of the much-travelled journeyman American, Terry Smith, ahead of tomorrow's fixture against the title contenders, Killester.
In spite of their youthful-looking squad, the Dubliners have maintained their strong challenge over the first 13 weeks of the season and have suffered only three defeats. Along with their outstanding home-grown young talent, Killester have also a settled and consistent trio of foreign players in Damon Shoultz, Mike Trimmer and Michael Queenan. Trimmer is a slight injury worry after twisting an ankle in training, but he will almost certainly play in Killarney tomorrow.
Star of the Sea can go to the top of the table alone on Sunday in Belfast (if they win their game in hand over Waterford, who have a rest from league action this weekend). Standing between Star and the outright lead is UCD Marian, who inflicted one of only two defeats on the reigning champions back in October.
However, the combination of a more settled team, greater consistency from week to week and home venue all count in favour of Star on Sunday against an unpredictable opposition, who are highly regarded on their own court in UCD but less so away from home.
Marian, who have American Kevin Ellery back for the fixture, have their first double duty weekend as they host bottom club Tolka Rovers tomorrow night before travelling north on Sunday morning.
Dungannon's new signing from Killarney, Jamal Chretien, is doubtful for the home game against Neptune tomorrow after injuring himself on his debut for the Tyrone club last weekend. Chretien replaces Al Boller, who has since signed for Cardiff Clippers.
Neptune have an injury doubt over their American Sean Wilson, but he is expected to play, while Gordon Fitzgerald, who missed the defeat by St Vincent's last weekend, returns for the trip to Ulster tomorrow. Meanwhile, Derrick Izilein, the 6ft 11in Londoner, has been confirmed as a Bosman replacement for the injured Nick Chatzinokilis in the Cork club's squad.
St Vincent's, who have struggled for any sort of consistency this season, showed last weekend how good they can be when properly motivated, as they staved off Neptune's strong late comeback.
The Glasnevin club travel to Sligo tomorrow, where player-coach Dave Weaver links up with Zairean Luteke Kalombo.
In the women's superleague, unbeaten Wildcats are in a position to clinch the title before the cup play-offs at the end of the month if they win their next three games, the toughest of which takes place tomorrow in Waterford, where they host Killester.
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