After losing their first three matches of the season, Devonshire Cougars have now gone five games unbeaten...neighbours Boulevard becoming the latest team to witness their revival last night at Devonshire Rec.

The blustery conditions played a big part in this derby match but with the wind in their backs in the first half, Cougars took full advantage of the situation and netted three times before the break.

The anticipated Boulevard fightback in the second half never materialised as Cougars scored an early fourth goal and then held on for the win which lifted them above the Blazers in the standings.

From one of the pre-season title tips, Boulevard are virtually out of the running for the Dudley Eve Tournament over Christmas.

The defeat drops them to eighth in the standings while Cougars, with three wins and two draws since that 6-0 hammering by PHC on October 11, join North Village on 11 points. The win opens a six-point gap between ninth placed St.

David's and the next team above them.

Phillip Clarke broke the deadlock in the ninth minute when he beat Ed Oliver with a drive from inside the box, just seconds after wasting a good opportunity in front of goal.

Both teams were without key players as Tori Henry of Cougars filled in for goalkeeper Leon Place who is off the island. But Boulevard clearly missed left-sided pair Dwight Warren and Albert Caisey more, as their Seventh Day Adventist faith prevented them from playing on their Sabbath.

Clarke doubled the Cougars lead in the 29th minute when, after strike partner Clevie Campbell's shot was parried by the diving Oliver, he followed up at the far post to plant home the rebound.

At the other end Stevie Wade, once of Cougars, threaded a pass into the box for Herbie Bascome who blasted over. Cougars scored a vital third goal two minutes before the break when fullback Maxwell Dill's inswinging corner from the right caused Oliver problems in flight before finding its way into the far post untouched.

Cougars prepared for a Boulevard fightback in the second half as the Blazers made two half time substitutions, bringing on Amon Brown for the injured Dean Boyles in defence and David Gibbs for Wade up front.

But the goal that would decide the match came 90 seconds after the restart when Wali Salaam scored from the penalty spot after Mitchell Trott was blown down for a foul on Clarke.

Boulevard, playing well below their potential, did pull a goal back in the 67th minute when Rodney Bascome scored with a low left-footed shot but they never seriously threatened the lead. Campbell came close to scoring a fifth minutes later but his downward header bounced over the crossbar.

Cougars: T.Henry, G.Georges, T.James, K.Swan, M.Dill, G.Dyer, W.Salaam, G.Butterfield (R.Swan 76min), C.Campbell, P.Clarke, D.Brangman.

Boulevard: E.Oliver, D.Boyles (A.Brown 45min), M.Trott, L.Stevens, V.Eve, J.Samuels, H.Bascome, N.Robinson, R.Bascome, S.Worrell, S.Wade (D.Gibbs 45min).

Referee: Esten Curtis Men of match: Cougars -- Phillip Clarke; Boulevard -- Neil Robinson.

Chevonne Furbert scored fourth times -- sixth, 32nd, 57th and 60th minutes -- as Rude Girls hammered Robin Hood 6-0 in the opening match. Renee Smith (34th) and Ricketta Warner (51st) were the other scorers for Rude Girls.