IT is expected that Premier Division champions Devonshire Cougars will begin moving up the tables in the final two games before the Christmas break, but the same might not be said for winless Somerset Trojans who seem to be going from bad to worst at the other end of the table.

League action resumes after a three-week break for the Martonmere Cup final and two Sundays of FA Cup action. A glance at the league tables shows some interesting developments as PHC, winners over Cougars in the Martonmere final on November 11, head the tables with 11 out of a possible 15 points.

Cougars, who in the early weeks of the new campaign looked the team to beat with some outstanding performances in the Martonmere, are in mid-table just three points off the leaders and with much still to play for. Just as shocking as PHC's early rise to the top are the performances of the Trojans, one of the most successful teams in local football.

Relegated twice before in their history, the west enders will know by Christmas if they will be fighting another relegation battle after failing to win in five matches so far. Coach Dennis Brown publicly challenged his players to show some character after losing 4-1 to Devonshire Colts and ahead of the PHC game earlier this month. Unfortunately it didn't work as the players responded by going down 7-0 to the Zebras in one of the most one-sided results between these two top clubs.

The win took PHC into sole possession of first place while the defeat leaves the Trojans second from bottom and facing a real threat of relegation if their fortunes don't change soon.

The Trojans will attempt to begin putting things right on Sunday when they entertain Cougars. A victory is critical for the Trojans because defeat could either see them sitting on the bottom or possibly five points adrift of Devonshire Colts who meet bottom team Ireland Rangers in another important match in the west end.

Victory for Ireland Rangers at Malabar could lift them off the bottom and give them some hope in what will undoubtedly be another relegation fight. Colts and Rangers came up together this season, but Colts look better equipped to survive. Victory will put them at least two points clear of the relegation zone.

PHC travel to BAA field aiming to protect their two-point lead at the top of the tables, but they know that Boulevard will make them work hard for the three points. Second placed North Village are at home to Dandy Town in the remaining match.

The First Division promotion race is shaping up to be a battle between four, possibly five, teams. Hamilton Parish lead the pack with 17 points but three other teams ¿ Wolves, Southampton and Somerset Eagles ¿ are all within striking distance.

Parish should be good for three more points when they travel to Police field to meet Prospect where victory will keep them in top spot by at least two points.

Second-placed Southampton Rangers will have to work hard for the points against a X-Roads side who sit just behind the top five and who could put themselves into contention with victory.

Somerset Eagles, third, make the long trek to the east end to meet a St. David's side that still have promotion aspirations and are difficult to beat at home. They are also fifth in the tables, five points behind the leaders but with two games in hand over the top two.

Their neighbours, St. George's, aren't enjoying the same success in the league as they languish in the bottom half of the tables and are well off the promotion pace. However, they should be good for the points against winless Paget who are finding life difficult back in the First Division after relegation from the top flight.

The other match in the division will see BAA taking on Social Club on Saturday night at BAA Field in a bottom of the table clash.