North Village and PHC remain on a collision course that could culminate with the two powerhouse teams locking horns in the Friendship Trophy final for the second straight year.

Rams, who blasted Zebras 7-3 in last season's high-scoring final at the National Sports Centre (NSC), were pitted against Premier Division newcomers Southampton Rangers during yesterday's Friendship Trophy semi-final draw at Bermuda Football Association (BFA).

Village will do battle with three-time Friendship champions Rangers on February 3 with Zebras taking on Boulevard in the other semi-final to be held on February 11.

Both semi-final matches will be preceded by First Shield semi-finals at venues to be announced later.

Rams have hoisted the Friendship Trophy on eight occasions in the past and were the competition's inaugural winners during the 1965-66 campaign after edging Wellington Rovers 1-0 in the final.

The popular knockout competition was spawned from the infamous Belco riots in the 1960s as a goodwill gesture with revenue generated from matches helping injured footballers. In modern times, however, the competition no longer serves that purpose.

No other team in the 44-year history of the Friendship Trophy have won more titles than PHC and Somerset Trojans who both have nine wins to their credit.

Trojans and Zebras are also the only teams to have won the competition three years on the trot, the former raising four titles between 1967 and 1970 – the same year they won the coveted triple crown (Premier Division, FA Cup and Friendship).

The BFA also held the First Division Shield semi-final draws yesterday.

For the second time this year, East will meet West in a First Division cup final as current leaders St.George's have been pitted against nearby rivals and fellow promotion contenders St.David's Warriors.

The two East End rivals will clash on February 3 while West End rivals Somerset Eagles and Somerset Trojans will do battle in the remaining semi-final on February 11.

St. George's recently beat Trojans in a penalty shoot-out to raise a first First Division Dudley Eve title at the third attempt.

During yesterday's draw for the Commercial Division Cup quarter-finals, Robin Hood were paired with MR Onions 'A', BAA Wanderers were pitted against Key West Rangers, Dandy Town Roots were drawn against North Village Rams and Tuff Dogs against Lobster Pot.

The matches involving Hood and MR Onions 'A' and BAA and Key West Rangers will be held at BAA Field on February 10, while the remaining quarter-final matches have been set aside for February 10 at a venue to be later determined.

Meanwhile, domestic league action resumes tomorrow with the top four teams in the Premier Division facing off against each other.

Leaders Devonshire Cougars will be out to avenge a recent 4-0 drubbing by newly crowned Dudley Eve champions Dandy Town at the Den while fourth-placed PHC entertain second-placed Boulevard at Southampton Oval.

Elsewhere, Hamilton Parish tackle winless Devonshire Colts at Wellington Oval while North Village welcome Southampton Rangers to Bernard Park.

In First Division action, St.George's host Somerset at Wellington Oval in a repeat of this month's Dudley Eve final while for the second successive weekend St. David's and Ireland Rangers will do battle, only this time at Lords.

In other First Division match-ups, promotion hopefuls Somerset Eagles take on an improved Paget side at White Hill Field, BAA tackle rejuvenated Wolves at BAA Field while X Roads and Young Men's Social Club face off at Garrison Field.