Kyle Lightbourne insists PHC are the underdogs ahead of tomorrow's Martonmere Cup Final against Devonshire Cougars despite making a scintillating start in the Premier Division.

Table-toppers Zebras take on Cougars in a repeat of last season's Remembrance Day showpiece, and enter the encounter fresh from their 7-0 thumping of Somerset Trojans on Sunday.

This time around Lightbourne wants his men to set the record straight after a string of key absentees robbed them of a chance of winning last season's first major competition.

"In last year's final we probably only had four regulars available," said Lightbourne. "We either had players injured or suspended and maybe things would have been different, had I been able to field my strongest team.

"We've made an excellent start to this campaign and have more or less carried over our form from the second half of last season. We've only lost one game in the league in 2007.

"In some ways I'm surprised at our start of the season, but in other ways I'm not. The players are hungry and enjoying their football and PHC has traditionally been a team challenging for trophies.

"But I still believe Devonshire Cougars are favourites as they're the defending champions and it's their trophy. It's up to us to take it off them."

PHC are the only unbeaten team in all competitions this season and defeated Cougars 2-1 in the league a few weeks ago. Lightbourne has strengthened his roster over the summer with Bermuda Hogges Kevin Richards, who has returned from working overseas, Jeff Franklin, from Commercial League's Tuff Dogs and Johnny Ball has also returned from college in the US.

At the age of 38 Lightbourne already is in possession of an extensive coaching CV as a former national team boss, current Bermuda Hogges' supremo, as well as his current role with PHC.

But he revealed early this year that he believed his commitments with the national team impacted upon PHC's pre-season preparations last term, and may have contributed in their failure to push for more honours.

They finished in sixth place last season with 16 points from 14 matches. But they have accumulated 11 points already, leaving them two points ahead of second place North Village Rams.

Meanwhile, Cougars have staged a recovery over the last few weeks after making a dismal start to their title defence. Kwame Steede-inspired victories over Dandy Town and Devonshire Colts have seen them climb to mid-table with seven points. Skipper Steede has been in red-hot goalscoring form notching a staggering 13 goals in seven games.

PHC take on Cougars in the Martonmere Cup Final at Somerset Cricket Club at 2.30 p.m tomorrow.