AGAINST defending champions North Village in April, Devonshire Cougars ran out comfortable 3-0 winners to take the Premier Division title in spectacular fashion.

As fate would have it the same two teams will square off again at Devonshire Rec. as Cougars begin the defence of their title against one of the teams expected to push them in the title race. In three matches so far Cougars have looked far and away the most exciting team, blowing away Devonshire Colts 5-0 in the Charity Cup, before stopping Somerset Trojans 3-1 and Boulevard 4-0 in the Martonmere Cup to advance to the semi-finals. However, it is not just Cougars' results that already have the other teams casting an envious eye on them. Captain Kwame Steede's scoring exploits from midfield have been nothing short of spectacular, netting three against Colts, three against the Trojans seven days later and then two in the win over the Blazers. Eight goals in three games would have even the most explosive striker feeling proud of himself.

At this rate Steede will easily pass the 20-goal mark and no doubt Village will have spent some time in training this week trying to figure out how to shut down the free-roaming, high-scoring midfielder who is looking sharper and fitter after a summer playing with the Bermuda Hogges. The biggest concern for Cougars is that their main sparkplus doesn't burn out midway through the season.

Village will be well aware that they blew their chance at a second straight league title almost seven months ago when they went into the match against Cougars needing only a draw to retain their crown. Lethargic they were, and Cougars made them pay with three unanswered goals to win a second title in three seasons.

Village, under new coaches Elliott Jennings and Clyde Best, are struggling to find their feet after the summer break. A scoreless draw and a 3-1 loss to Dandy Town means that they are facing elimination from the competition next week when Town play the Zebras in their final group match.

Town retained Devarr Boyles as coach despite last season's disappointments and suddenly things are looking up for them in the early season. They travel to BAA to meet Boulevard on Sunday while division newcomers Devonshire Colts and Ireland Rangers, who ironically went down together two years ago and joined each other in promotion last season, face tough opening matches as they put their main focus on surviving in the top flight.

Rangers entertain Somerset Trojans at Malabar Field in a west end derby knowing that early points are crucial. Rangers have kept their squad together from last season and have added Yusaff Pitt from relegated Paget and Chris Moulder from the Trojans who also lost Quincy Aberdeen (back to Devonshire Colts) and Rohaan Simons who has returned to Southampton Rangers. They also will not have Stephen Astwood this season as he is contracted as a franchise player with the Hogges.

Devonshire Colts have had plenty to work on in training after last month's 5-0 loss to Cougars in the Charity Cup. And PHC will not represent an easy three points for them either on Sunday at Southampton Oval.

The First Division is already underway, except for the two promotion favourites, Wolves and Southampton Rangers, who had their match postponed last weekend. Thus, their season officially begins on Sunday with Rangers at home to Young Men's Social Club and Wolves travelling to Police Field to meet Prospect.

St. David's welcome St. George's in an east end derby while Somerset Eagles welcome a practically new-look Paget side at White Hill. Paget lost no fewer than 12 players in the summer transfer, including player-coach Marvin Belboda who has returned to Devonshire Colts. Hamilton Parish are at home to X-Roads in the other match as they aim to add to last weekend's win over Paget.

Schedule:

Premier Division: Boulevard v Dandy Town (BAA Field); PHC v Devonshire Colts (Southampton Oval); Ireland Rangers v Somerset (Malabar); Devonshire Cougars v North Village (Dev.Rec). Games start at 3.00.

First Division: Ham. Parish v X-Roads (St. David's 12.30); Prospect v Wolves (Police Field 12.30); Southampton Rangers v YMSC (S.Oval 12.30); Som. Bridge v Paget (White Hill 3.00); St. David's v St. George's (St. David's 3.00).

Women

Freisenbruch-Meyer Cup: St. George's Lady Colts v Lady Cougars (W.Oval 12.30); Somerset Hurricanes v Prospect (Somerset 12.30).

Tuesday

Martonmere Cup: Dandy Town v PHC (7.00); Somerset v Boulevard (9.00). Matches at Devonshire Rec.