Hamilton Parish are looking to build on last season’s achievements of reaching the Friendship Trophy final and finishing in the top six in the league by advancing to the semi-finals of the Dudley Eve Trophy.

Parish face Somerset Trojans in a must-win match for second spot from group B, where North Village have already booked their place in the last four after a win and a draw against Parish and Somerset.

Kieshon Smith, the Parish coach, said that his players will be up to the challenge when they take on Trojans at Police Field in the opening match of a double-header on Saturday.

“For us it is about continuing on the growth from last season; the team is getting stronger and we were able to attract some more quality players,” said Smith, referring to the signings of Chris Caisey, Casey Castle and Calin Maybury, who Smith knows from his involvement with the Bermuda Under-23 side this summer in the Dominican Republic.

Caisey, who returned to Parish from Devonshire Cougars, received a red card in his first match against Village and will miss Saturday’s match through suspension. Smith expects much from the former Cougars captain and rates him as one of the top signings during the pre-season.

“We had been in conversation with Chris for a while and probably would have had him last year if Cougars hadn’t won the triple crown the year before,” Smith said.

“But like all good competitors you want a chance to defend what you have won. It was always on the cards because at Peppers 95 per cent of our players come from the Hamilton Parish area which gives us our strength.

“I’m thankful that Chris was able to go on and get more experience, now he’s come back and everybody looks up to him.”

Reaching the last four of the competition will represent another first for Parish and would be a big boost for the team ahead of the opening league matches next weekend.

“We’re not one of the big dogs in the Premier Division but we’re trying to move ourselves up the ladder,” Smith said. “This is the first time playing in the Dudley Eve, so top six was an accomplishment for us. Being in a position where we have nothing to lose, we’re just trying to put our best foot forward.

“We want to compete against teams like Dandy Town and North Village and I would rather we play now than sitting on the sidelines watching other teams play and getting better.

“Just qualifying for the Dudley Eve is helping our preparation because we knew we were playing early.

“Normally we’re not playing early and getting that extra match fitness that the top teams get which puts them in a good position for the season.”

Trojans need only a point to advance to the semi-finals, having drawn 2-2 against Village in their opening game.

Parish lost their first match against Village 3-2.

Also needing a draw are Flanagan’s Onions, who are making their first appearance in the competition, and are confident after a 2-2 draw with Cougars, who were then beaten 4-1 by Dandy Town.

Onions play Town in the second match on Saturday, knowing that a draw or even a narrow defeat will take them through to the semi-finals in five weeks’ time.