IN case Somerset Trojans fans are wondering what to make of their team just a year after winning two major trophies, coach Dennis Brown has the answer.

"The one thing I can say is you get out what you put in," said the former Somerset stalwart this week. It is something he has stressed to his players and the sooner they grasp it, the quicker they can begin to turn things around.

"It's been stressed over and over and the players have to be totally honest and to put their best foot forward. I wish I could do it for them but I can't."

Things seemed to have turned around for the proud west end club last season when they lifted the Dudley Eve and Friendship Trophy. But 2007 ended on a less than promising note when the Trojans failed to qualify for a defence of their Dudley Eve title and found themselves in relegation trouble, second-from-bottom with just one win in the league.

Now the Friendship champions will be hoping this competition offers them some relief from their league woes when they battle with PHC as Premier and First Division teams take another break from league action this weekend to battle for semi-final places in the Friendship and Shield competitions.

As the two most successful teams in the competition's history with nine wins apiece, this match would normally be the pick of the draw. However, Somerset's recent poor form, which continued last weekend with a 3-0 loss to Boulevard, may have lowered their aspirations somewhat.

Even so, as defending champions, they will at least have something to play for, though they will have to raise their game considerably to deal with the high-riding Zebras who are setting the pace in the Premier Division with North Village. Somerset are second-from-bottom in the tables and facing a real threat of relegation. They are only five points from safety but at times it is difficult to see where Somerset's next victory is going to come from.

"We have to win four of the six games to go, but the players have to show they want to stay in the Premier Division," said Brown.

The draw has created some interesting match-ups with all the teams playing on neutral fields. Boulevard meet Devonshire Colts at Bernard Park in what looks to be the pick of the matches as two evenly balanced teams lock horns. Only goal difference separates the two teams in the league and it could be a difficult one to predict.

North Village should be favoured over Dandy Town as both teams make the drive to the east end for their clash at Wellington Oval. Things still haven't quite clicked at St. John's Road where Dandy Town are struggling for consistency in the league. Their 4-0 hammering at the hands of PHC last Sunday now leaves them six points off the league leading Zebras and only four clear of the second relegation place. This cup is probably their best hope of success this season, though they will have their hands full with a Village side that is eyeing another trophy after their recent Dudley Eve victory.

Devonshire Cougars are likely to be without inspirational captain Kwame Steede on Sunday, but against struggling Ireland Rangers at BAA Field it might not matter. Steede has been ruled out of Bermuda's two friendly matches against Puerto Rico with injury and may also miss this weekend's cup match for his club. Ireland Rangers have had little to shout about since their opening day 1-1 draw with the Trojans back in October and are looking certain for a second successive relegation from the top flight. A good cup run would be a welcome relief for them but it isn't likely to come at Cougars' expense.

The First Division Shield has already lost two of its top teams and Social Club and St. George's, fresh off last weekend's victories over St. David's and Wolves, will be hoping to add two more to the casualty list.

Because of the odd number of teams in the First Division, three teams have already been eliminated. Among them are current league leaders X-Roads and First Division Dudley Eve winners Hamilton Parish who were ousted by Young Men's Social Club and St. David's respectively, while BAA were beaten by Wolves.

Social Club meet Somerset Eagles in the opening match at Devonshire Rec. while St. George's, the first team to hand Wolves two losses in the league this season, tackle one of the promotion favourites, Southampton Rangers, at Bernard Park.

St. David's and Wolves clash at BAA Field in what should be the pick of the Shield matches while Prospect and Paget meet at Wellington Oval.

Schedule

At Devonshire Rec: Social Club v Somerset Eagles (Shield, 12.30); Somerset v PHC (Friendship, 3.00).

At BAA Field: St. David's v Wolves (Shield, 12.30); Dev. Cougars v Ire. Rangers (Friendship, 3.00).

At Bernard Park: Southampton Rangers v St. George's (Shield, 12.30); Boulevard v Devonshire Colts (Friendship, 3.00).

At Wellington Oval: Prospect v Paget (Shield, 12.30); Dandy Town v North Village (Friendship, 3.00).

Women's Division: PHC v Prospect (S. Oval 12.30); Somerset Hurricanes v Dandy Stars (Somerset 12.30).