North Village legend Ralph (Gumbo) Bean is confident the Rams can go the distance and land an unprecedented sixth Dudley Eve title at the National Sports Centre (NSC) next week.

Rams manhandled arch rivals Devonshire Cougars at Wellington Oval on Boxing Day to advance to their eighth Dudley Eve final and first in two seasons. And they will now await the outcome of tomorrow's second semi-final that will determine who their opponents will be in next week's final.

Bean, who won a Dudley Eve title at Village in 1979-80 and two more with now defunct Vasco da Gama in 1980-81 and 1983-84, is among those impressed by Rams' unflappable performances in the tournament so far. And he's now backing the 'Red Army' to go all the way to the winner's circle.

"I think the guys will be even more determined to go all the way having had a good sniff at success and I think they can go all the way and win the cup," Bean told The Royal Gazette.

Rams squeeked by PHC Zebras 1-0 in their opening contest, thanks to a sole tally from Bean's son Ralph Jr., before opening the floodgates against a Cougars side that has enjoyed the better of exchanges between the two clubs in recent cup meetings.

Elliott Jennings' side tamed Cougars earlier this week — to avenge a 2005-06 Dudley Eve final loss to the Big Cats at Wellington Oval — with a team bolstered by college kids Tyrell Burgess, Keishan Bean and Shayne Hollis.

"I think the influx of college students has made a big difference as their return over the Christmas holiday has given Village a big boost," Bean added. "The guys appear to be peaking at the right time."

That could spell trouble for their eventual opponents in next week's final on the 'carpet' — a venue where the former Red Devils have rarely tasted defeat in a cup final.

To date, no other club has lifted more Dudley Eve titles than Rams (five) who also appeared in the inaugural final in 1978-79.

Somerset Trojans and Dandy Town have appeared in the most finals (nine), with PHC Zebras the only club to have won the title by the flip of a coin in 1981-82 after finishing 4-4 on aggregate with Trojans after an absorbing two-leg final.

Village coach Jennings now has the luxury to rest his warriors until next Tuesday's final. And despite the brief lay-off, Bean is confident Rams can pick up where they left off on New Year's Day at the NSC.

"I actually believe the short lay-off will do Village more good than harm. I don't think the interval is long enough to have any negative effect on the team or allow for rust to set in," Bean reasoned.

"I actually think the break is a plus because if you have any niggling injuries or anything like that it gives you time to fully recover before getting back to the job at hand.

"But the guys are peaking at the right moment and if they can continue to work hard for one another and feed off each other than I don't see any reason why they can't make things happen."