The two teams hot on Dandy Town's heels are both confident they can lift the Premier Division championship at the end of the season.

Mindful of the way they faltered at the final hurdle last season as they chased eventual winners North Village, Devonshire Cougars are keen not to repeat the same mistakes.

"That was due to a lack of commitment and we've talked about that. Once players stay committed and focused we should be all right.

"We should have a real good chance of winning the league. We're just trying to build on the first half of the season. Everyone will need to play well," said their stand-in coach who goes by the name Paulos.

Though in second place on 14 points ? three adrift of Town ? from their first seven games (four wins, two draws, one loss), Cougars could have been in an even better position at the halfway stage.

"I wasn't that unhappy with our results but they weren't as good as they could have been in a couple games through a lack of commitment. We could have won some more games."

One area which Cougars are seeking to improve on is capitalising on the numerous scoring chances which they let go a-begging. Paulos disclosed the team worked on that aspect over the Christmas holidays and are determined to boost their goal difference, starting tomorrow against Southampton Rangers.

Meanwhile, third-placed Boulevard Blazers (13 points) hope to continue with the momentum which they were gathering at the end of 2003.

"We started off slow but we were picking it up towards the end of the year and finished off strong. We hope that momentum can continue into the second half.

"We need to stay injury-free, maintain the harmony within our camp and keep egos out of the game. I think that's what most coaches will face in this second half. If we can do all that we should have a successful run," noted coach John Rebello.

He believes "a lot is going to be determined in the first three rounds of the second half" and thereafter a clearer picture will emerge of "who will be the champions and who will be relegated".

Boulevard's task will be cut out for them early on as they face North Village tomorrow followed by Dandy Town and Southampton Rangers respectively.

"We play the defending champions and then we play the hottest team going ? you've got to say that because they are in first place and they haven't lost a game ? and then we turn around and play Rangers who have a good team and are in the middle of the table scrapping for every point to survive."

Boulevard will be looking to new skipper and in-form striker, Melchisedec Gibbons, to guide them in the absence of his predecessor Shaki Crockwell who was recently imprisoned.

The latter's loss, Rebello acknowledged, leaves huge boots to fill.

"His presence was a big factor. He was a leader, someone true to his talent and his desire to win. His team-mates looked up to him and he is one of the better players on the Island so it's a big blow for us.

"We've come together and tried to stay focused and keep him in our thoughts in every game we play. He has been there since we came from the old-time Second Division so he put a lot of hard work into the club.

"He is up at Westgate but none of us can forget the contribution that he made. We have to tell ourselves that 'Some of our players are not here because they can't be and we've got to win for them also, not just for us'.

"He is going to be missed. It's a big void to fill but we've got a lot of talented guys who have been waiting for opportunities and now they have no excuses."

At the other end of the table, Somerset Eagles ? second last in the standings ? are simply concerned with survival.

Six points from seven matches put them in a precarious position and they can expect to have their hands full with frontrunners Town, especially after knocking the latter out of the Friendship Trophy this week.

Despite the disparity between the two clubs' league fortunes, Eagles are buoyed by the fact that they are in fact the only team to have beaten Town this season ? and twice at that!

They dumped Town out of the Martonmere Cup 3-0 and followed that up with a lone-goal triumph on Tuesday night.

"We are the only team to beat Town twice this year but the game that's the most important is Sunday.

"We need the points and Town are on top and looking to go undefeated. We're in a real predicament because we need to move up the ladder, away from relegation, to feel comfortable," said club president Bray Saltus.

He and other Eagles fans will be praying their squad can recapture the form and grit which they displayed in the Friendship competition to ensure they remain in the top flight.

"We have the talent and we should be getting back a few players who were out for various reasons. It's a matter of heart and guts on the day.

"There are a lot of good teams in the Premier Division and it's who wants it most. It's going to take a combination of mind, body and soul.

"I think we can make a good run to survive and we should because we deserve to be in the Premier Division."