Arch rivals St. George's and Somerset played to their second draw of the season yesterday at Wellington Oval, leaving the Trojans hanging on to top spot by goal difference and St. George's still in sixth place three points behind.

The West Enders had the better of the chances during this keenly contested match though a draw looked a fair result. St. George's took the lead late in the first half through Marlon Outerbridge and Somerset replied a couple of minutes later through defender Jermaine Burrows.

Rodney Bascome, who squandered a number of chances for the Trojans in the first half, began his series of misses in the fifth minute when a cross from the left was headed down by Jerry Webb. From about six yards Bascome managed to scoop his shot over the bar.

At the other end Clay Smith, the leading St. George's scorer, put his right foot shot over the bar, also from inside the box. Then after Gregg Foggo shot wide of the near post after a move down the left side, Somerset went through a period of dominance during which chances were either missed or saved.

They were made to pay in the 39th minute when a quick break by St. George's produced the lead, albeit a short-lived one. The telling pass came from the left from Foggo and Outerbridge met it perfectly at the far post to place his shot past Andre Hendrickson.

The goal jolted Somerset and they came back quickly just before the half when Shaun Roberts, at the near post, back-headed a ball from a corner on the left and Burrows planted his firm header through a crowded area despite the attempts of Herbie Bascome on the goal-line.

Somerset, though annoyed by some refereeing decisions that went against them in each half, remained positive in the second half and had a chance to score just 40 seconds after the restart when captain Reggie Tucker put a weak shot straight at 'keeper Troy Hall from inside the box.

In the 59th minute Somerset thought they might have had a penalty when Tucker went down in the box after a challenge from Quinton Francis.

Play was allowed to continue and before the danger was cleared Somerset should have taken the lead, but this time Webb headed over the top from just four yards after the cross left him in front of goal and with just the 'keeper to beat.

Stevie Dickinson was booked in the 83rd minute for a foul on Rahman, having gone close to scoring earlier with a free kick from an acute angle that he drove hard and just wide of the far post.

Both teams made late substitutions in a bid for a winner, with Somerset replacing out of touch Bascome with Dion Minors who lasted just six minutes before he, too, was replaced after dislocating his shoulder which required hospital treatment.

The match is the first of what will be a busy week for St. George's as tomorrow they meet Dandy Town in the Friendship Trophy and on Friday take on BAA in the league.

St. George's: T.Hall; Q.Francis, P.Bailey, H.Bascome, A.Todd; G.Foggo, M.Outerbridge, D.Richardson, S.Dickinson, D.Minors, C.Smith (J.Laws 84 mins).

Somerset: A.Hendrickson; D.DeRoza, N.Woods, J.Burrows, S.Roberts, A.Rahman, R.Tucker, S.Arorash, R.Simmons, J.Webb, R.Bascome (D.Minors 81 mins) (R.Scott 87 mins).

Referee: Roddy Burchall.

Men of match: Gregg Foggo (St. George's), Jermaine Burrows (Somerset).