Tomorrow marks the 40th anniversary of the Friendship Trophy final, although it?s a safe bet opposing finalists Devonshire Cougars and PHC Zebras will be anything but friendly.

While Cougars seek to add a cup title to their league championship and avenge a 3-0 loss to Zebras in the same competition final in 1972-73, their rivals in pinstripes will have high hopes of finishing the season with a flourish.

PHC will be appearing in their 13th Friendship final and first since winning the competition in 2001-02. Overall, Zebras have won the trophy on more occasions than any other club ? a record nine times ? while Cougars have yet to win the competition despite three appearances in the final including back-to-back defeats in the 1980-81 and 1981-82 finals against Devonshire Colts and Southampton Rangers.

Cougars coach Andrew Bascome hopes to set the record straight.

?Winning the Friendship would be a tremendous occasion for the club, our players and the fans,? Bascome told .

?They are motivated for this last game because it?s clearly a contest we want to win. And it?s important for us to keep our heads and not get too carried away.?

Bascome?s opposite number, Zebras coach Mark Wade, declined to comment yesterday.

Wade coached PHC to Friendship success in 2002, his first cup title since taking over the helm of the team from Sammy Swan in 2000.

Inaugurated in 1965-66, with North Village the first club to win the trophy, the Friendship competition came into existence as a goodwill gesture to promote harmony following the Bermuda Electric Light Company riots involving Bermuda Industrial Union workers and local police officers which proved to be a significant turning point in Bermuda?s history.

In a sad twist of irony, rival local gangs openly clashed at Wellington Oval resulting in abandonment of last year?s Friendship Trophy final.

That match was eventually rescheduled for the National Sports Centre where Village edged Somerset Eagles 1-0 after extra time.

Police will be present for tomorrow?s finals at the Sports Centre, confirmed NSC general manager Cliff Wade.

Tomorrow will also see First Division champions Ireland Rangers bid for the coveted double when they take on St.David?s in the Shield final while North Village and Dandy Town open proceedings when they battle it out in the Under-13 Knockout Cup final.