Rain, rain go away -- Devonshire Colts want to get the soccer season underway! After two straight postponements, last year's surprise league champions are hoping the Charity Cup match against Boulevard -- scheduled for 8.00 p.m.

tonight at BAA -- finally goes ahead.

"There was some disappointment on Sunday when we were really ready to play and it rained,'' said skipper Shannon Burgess. "And when the game was rescheduled on Wednesday it was different because we figured early on that it would get postponed. Sunday, though, was the real letdown.'' The traditional season opener will be preceded by the women's Charity Cup match at 6.00 between Wolves and Rude Girls.

Burgess said it was important for his team to look on the bright side and become mentally prepared to play tonight -- or whenever.

"We have got to be ready at all times, and now we are keeping our fingers crossed in hope that there will be no further delays because of rain,'' he said.

The pressure will be on Colts who have not been that busy in the transfer market, in sharp contrast to Boulevard, who have strengthened their ranks considerably by picking up established players such as midfielder Andrew Bascome, Otis Minors, Gregg Foggo and Richard Todd. The latter two are not expected to start the season with them, however.

Colts did pick up young Tito Smith and Derek Wright, but only Smith could be making an early appearance for them. "Derek is still involved with cricket and hasn't been able to train much yet,'' said Burgess.

From tonight's match it will be interesting to see whether Colts can maintain their intensity of a year ago, when they surprised everybody by playing at a high level for an extended period after a mediocre start to the season.

"Overall I feel we can still make a big impact in soccer, we have got pretty much the same players back and we are probably looking at having to play at a higher level,'' said Burgess.

"It could be a good thing that the other teams have gotten a lot stronger through transfers, such as Dandy Town and Boulevard. It's definitely going to be more competitive out there and from a fan's perspective the level of soccer is bound to rise. And if this happens it will benefit us at a national level; by forcing everybody to lift their standard it will do the country good.'' Burgess is unsure whether he will see as much action in midfield as he did last season. He expects to play in his usual sweeper role tonight but makes it no secret that he would jump at the opportunity to play in midfield.