ST. George's Colts became the first team to qualify for the Premier's Dudley Eve Cup last weekend when they extended their winning streak to seven games last weekend against Ireland Rangers.

And now second and third-place St. David's and Somerset Eagles both need one point on Sunday to join them as the First Division and Premier Division teams set their sights on the popular tournament.

St. George's have not dropped a single point since their opening day loss to Somerset Trojans. During their seven-game streak, which saw them beat Social Club, Somerset Eagles and Ireland Rangers 1-0, the east enders have conceded just one goal in the league and have put themselves among the serious promotion contenders. Their only blemish came recently in a 2-1 FA Cup loss to Commercial Division team Tuff Dogs.

Last Sunday, Colts moved into sole possession of first place when neighbours St. David's could only share the points with the Trojans, a team that failed to win a league game during the month of November and are now eight points behind the leaders and set to battle with Ireland Rangers and Social Club for the final Dudley Eve spot.

St. George's face another big test on Sunday when they travel across the bridge to meet St. David's in a top-of-the-table clash which will go some way to determining the division leaders at the Christmas break. Either way, St. George's can finish the first half of the campaign no lower than third.

"I'm very pleased with the way the team is performing but it is too early to make predictions," said veteran St. George's defender Neil Paynter whose team gave him a perfect 41st birthday present last weekend – top spot in the division.

"The Dudley Eve allows us to play more matches and stay focused for the new year. When the season started promotion was never our priority."

Paynter's experience, along with that of goalkeeper Troy Hall and fullback Dean Bailey, has been key to the team's stingy defence. Last weekend they had college student Freddie Hall, nephew of Troy, in goal as they kept another clean sheet against Ireland Rangers and Paynter thinks it will be good exposure for Hall to play in the Christmas tournament. "He's one of, if not the best keeper in Bermuda," said the former Bermuda international.

"I'm very pleased with the way our defence has played, but it is a total team effort. I'm more of a director on the field. I very much enjoy playing with the younger guys.

"We just want to keep the momentum going. St. David's is going to be a tough game, hopefully we'll be up to the test."

Eagles will watch this weekend's results very closely as they have a bye but can still qualify if Ireland Rangers or Trojans fail to win. Rangers shouldn't have too much trouble taking maximum points off BAA while the Trojans should have done likewise in last night's match with Wolves at Devonshire Rec.

The other team in with a chance, Social Club, face a slightly tougher fixture at Police Field against Prospect in the only 3.00 fixture. Their final match of the first half is against Ireland Rangers at Malabar Field next Sunday.

Social Club, in the top two for so long, have been steadily sliding down the tables after losing three straight to slump to sixth place. The month of November also saw them eliminated from both the FA Cup and Shield competition.

Their teenage striker Clay Darrell now shares the First Division goalscoring lead with Darrin Dowling of Somerset Eagles after the latter's hat-trick against Social Club last weekend moved him to nine for the season. Allan Douglas of St. George's and Henry Santucci of Ireland Rangers – with eight and seven respectively – are both within striking distance.

Devonshire Cougars could have become the first Premier Division team to qualify for this year's Dudley Eve last night against PHC Zebras.

Cougars went into the game third in the standings but knowing that a win would take them into top spot and into the holiday tournament. On the other hand, a PHC win would have moved them level on points with Cougars and leave at least two spots to be determined in next weekend's final round of matches.

There is another Dudley Eve contender among the Premier Division teams following Hamilton Parish's recent win over PHC which moved them into fifth place.

Parish's confidence will be high going into Sunday's match with North Village at Wellington Oval, a match that could eliminate one of these two teams from contention.

Boulevard need a victory against Devonshire Colts on Sunday to book their spot while Hamilton Parish face a 'six-pointer' against North Village at Wellington Oval. Dandy Town are away to Southampton Rangers in the other match.

Parish and Village are the defending Dudley Eve champions following New Year's Day victories over Southampton Rangers and Devonshire Cougars.

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Weekend schedule

First Division: BAA v Ireland Rangers (BAA Field); Paget v X-roads (White Hill); Wolves v Somerset (Devonshire Rec.); St. David's v St. George's (St. David's); Prospect v YMSC (Police Field 3.00). All games start at 12.30 unless stated.

Premier Division: Southampton v Dandy Town (Southampton Oval); Hamilton Parish v North Village (Wellington Oval); Boulevard v Devonshire Colts (BAA Field).

Women's Division: Prospect v Lady Cougars (Police Field 12.30); Dandy Stars v Somerset Hurricanes (St. John's Field 3.00).