the weekend why they are pre-season favourites to win their first Amstel League title since the 1988-89 season.

During the Sandys Boat Club round-robin, Teachers won two of the three games they played and tied the other. Both victories were shut-outs -- 19-0 over arch-rivals Renegades and 17-0 over Mariners.

Second-year captain Alvin Harvey served notice during training sessions that he wants a faster, feistier line-up this season, with an accent on quick transition. He also hopes his team, plagued by more bizarre endings than a John Grisham novel, can finally prevent the opposition from gaining the upper hand late in the game.

Harvey believes his second-place team suffered from too many narrow defeats last year. Teachers' stock plummetted in the second half of the season when the games got bigger and their players grew tired.

"Needless to say, one of our goals is to cure ourselves of the dreaded shoot-yourself-in-the-foot disease and finish games as strong as we start them,'' he said of his impressive bunch.

Winners of three titles in the last decade (1983-84, 1984-85 and 1988-89) Teachers are considered one of the finest developers of young talent in Bermuda and their second-team squad has won three straight titles.

But the main reason they are installed as early favourites is because more than a dozen of their players have been working out with the national team since July, making them the fittest rugby team on the island.

There are few changes in the line-up from last spring and as always the two most important building blocks are the Correia brothers -- Scott and Andrew -- who begin the season with determined gleam in their eyes.

The team stalwarts are healthy again after frustrating seasons where they were hobbled by injuries. Scott, who is regarded as one of the finest passers and tacklers in the country, suffered from recurring hamstring problems while Andrew also had his share of aches and pains. Riding the same posse, they will once again direct things from the half-back position.

Back row players Ashley Redmond and Patrick Cooper, who excelled during games after Christmas last year, are two Bermudians with exciting potential. Also returning is wing Terry Walsh and speedster Heath (Butch) Robinson, who has finished his studies and eager to stake his claim on the wing.

Robinson looks faster on his feet, more tenacious in rucks and mauls and his nose has picked up the scent of the goal -- during last weekend's tournament he was a one-man wrecking crew by scoring three tries against Mariners.

"He's got excellent pace and ball sense,'' said Harvey. "His skills have grown enormously.'' Also being counted on is centre Tommy Sinclair, promoted from the second team and a former national squad member.

Teachers are well known for their fierce tackling -- Harvey and Mike Montgomery can wreak havoc on opposition game plans. They are quick and can harass the opposition into turning over the ball.

Even with such a promising start, Harvey would like to see his team improve in certain areas.

"I still think we can work on our fitness,'' he said. "Our forwards' play needs improvement. They were a little stagnant, they tend to stand still out there.'' With a line-up laden with scoring punch and talent, it is highly unlikely Teachers will stand still for long this season.

ALVIN AVERY -- Wants faster, feister line-up.