HEN North Village thumped Ireland Rangers last Sunday, nobody could have been that surprised. They needed three points to secure the league championship but 1-0 was never going to be enough for a side who have been on fire in recent weeks ? the 7-2 win more typical of a side who are happy to roast their opposition.

In his first season in charge, Dwayne (Streaker) Adam's men have been the form team all year. They staked their claim early, continuing their FA Cup winning form from the previous year despite the change of manager by beating Devonshire Cougars in the Charity Cup opening day showpiece.

The 4-3 scoreline did not reflect the initial dominance shown by the side in red who have quality in abundance running through every position in their side.

Although they may not have set the league alight in the opening half of the season, the cup specialists maintained their challenge ? a challenge which came to the fore when early leaders Somerset Trojans began their Christmas stumble.

Village's utter destruction of whipping boys Ireland Rangers, who were only partially whipped by the other big teams, summed up their conviction in themselves and their ability to produce.

They didn't need to beat Rangers 9-0 at Malabar but, unlike many other teams at the venue, they were able to motivate themselves sufficiently to play their best and notch up some extra confidence with a destructive victory that defined their league campaign.

Over Christmas, they were some poorly executed penalties away from lifting a second crown, going down in the Wellington Oval Dudley Eve Final despite beating Cougars in the opening round of the double elimination festive tournament.

But with that defeat to inspire them, the second half of the season was all about Village.

They were not going to lose in the league and continued their remarkable cup form in early 2006 ensuring that claiming a rare triple crown remains a possibility, despite the cries of cup confidence from quarter-final opponents Prospect.

Much of Village's strength comes from their resilient and stout defence. Particularly when playing on the relatively small Bernard Park pitch, there is often little visiting teams can do to counter the defiant back wall of Kentoine and Kevin Jennings and Kofi Dill.

Creating an impenetrable line, the three of them head away danger for fun and put in enough hefty challenges to dissuade even the bravest of strikers from running at them.

The defensive steel is countered by the midfield vision, Vernon Tankard and Keith Jennings displaying all the tricks and wizardry necessary to create openings for the strikers. Although it is Tankard who consistently puts in the man-of-the-match performances, Keith Jennings is a mercurial footballing genius who, with an improvement in discipline and attitude, could be one of the island's greatest talents.

Up front, the powerful Nakia Smith and the rangy Ralph Bean Jr. create the majority of the mischief. Both are capable of nabbing even the slimmest of opportunities and causing headaches for defenders and goalkeepers alike.

A supporting cast of youngsters is an important facet of Village's strength and something that ? professional contracts aside ? could well lead to a continued dominance in the future.

Tyrell Burgess, Taurean Manders and the wonderkid Keishen Bean are all capable of holding down a place in the Village team when available and Burgess and Bean did their futures absolutely no harm at all during the recent New England Revolution tour, performing admirably both for the Under-20 and the senior teams.

Adams' Village were worthy winners this season, the manner of their 7-2 victory last weekend indicative of their attitude. Even though the trophy already has a home in the Bernard Park cabinet this year, expect them to go out and win their final game in style ? a fitting way to end an impressive league campaign.And don't be surprised if their trophy haul for 2005-6 isn't over just yet . . .