The race for the Premier Division championship resumes this weekend with a number of sides facing crunch games.

In the division?s top match-up, league leaders and defending champions Dandy Town will undergo a stern test against an inspired Somerset Trojans tonight at Somerset Cricket Club.

Hornets enjoyed easy pickings against Trojans last time around, soundly defeating the West Enders 3-0 at St. John?s Field last October.

But much has changed since then with Trojans stealing a valuable point from Boulevard and then knocking the wind out of Devonshire Cougars? sails with a 5-1 thrashing at home prior to the Christmas break, proving they do have the ability to compete against the big boys.

Add to the equation the fact that Dennis Brown?s men are now well rested and that could spell trouble for a Hornets squad who have have experienced an assortment of emotions over the past month.

Town recently lifted the Champions Cup at a time when they were still mourning the loss of full-back Randy Swan, tragically killed in a car accident in mid-December.

Then, earlier this week, the club boycotted a Friendship Trophy penalty shoot-out with North Village after the initial quarter-final tie had ended 2-2 after extra-time.

Town are currently three points ahead of second-placed PHC Zebras and third-placed Devonshire Cougars while Trojans remain sixth in the table, five points adrift of nearest rivals Village ? and still lingering perilously close to the dreaded relegation zone.

Other top flight matches of interest are set to unfold at Southampton Oval with the contest involving Zebras and Cougars and at Bernard Park where Village host fourth-placed Boulevard.

Cougars edged Zebras 2-1 in their first league encounter at the Den while Blazers handed Village a 2-1 loss at BAA Field.

At White Hill Field, struggling Somerset Eagles could come away with a valuable three points against winless Southampton Rangers. The two teams drew 1-1 at Southampton Oval last October.

In First Division action, league leaders Devonshire Colts have a good opportunity to increase their lead as previous leaders Ireland Rangers, who slipped up last weekend, face another crunch match against a rejuvenated St.David?s at Lords.

Colts take on lowly Hamilton Parish in the opening contest of a double-header at Lords.

St.George?s will be looking to get their promotion hopes back on track when they travel to White Hill Field to meet Paget.

Prospect host X Roads at Police Field with Wolves taking on fast-fading Social Club at Devonshire Rec.