Somerset Trojans will bid to stretch their dominance over league champions Devonshire Cougars when the two Premier Division rivals lock horns in the Martonmere Cup this weekend.

Trojans enjoyed the better of exchanges between the two clubs last season, winning five of six meetings including the Dudley Eve and Friendship Trophy finals at Cougars' expense.

And while Trojans' coach Dennis Brown readily admits that Saturday's commitment with Cougars represents another steep hill for his team to climb, he remains cautiously optimistic his charges can continue their winning ways against the Big Cats.

"The expectations of team management and the Somerset supporters is to improve upon last season's achievements and try and be even more successful," Brown declared.

Saturday's match up will present Trojans with an ideal opportunity to gauge themselves against a rampant Cougars side before the 2007-08 schedule shifts into high gear, with Brown hinting at the possibility of blooding a few fringe players on the night.

That proposition, however, could prove suicidal as Cougars are fresh off a 5-0 Charity Cup demolition of Devonshire Colts at the same venue last weekend and are now bursting with confidence.

It was a dominant display that certainly caught the attention of Brown. "It was a very impressive result and obviously they have sent out the message that they intend to be in contention again this season," he said. Trojans seemed to have Cougars' number last season. Yet Brown refuses to get carried away by past results and is determined to keep his feet planted firmly on the ground.

"We beat Cougars five times last season but I know for a fact that their morale will be high from Saturday night's win (Charity Cup)," he added.

"They are going to come at us with a lot of determination and so we will have to be ready for the occasion both mentally and physically."

Trojans have taken on a minor facelift over the off-season with the experienced Stephen Astwood and Meshach Wade having parted ways.

Astwood is now understood to be heading to the UK to play professionally while Wade has joined First Division outfit Hamilton Parish in the dual role of player/coach.

Brown admits the departures of two of his team's key cogs has created a void, but insists he has the resources at his disposal capable of plugging the gaps.

"I don't want to dwell on who is no longer around but rather on those who are still with us," he said.

With the forceful Astwood now out of the frame, promising striker Coefield Robinson is expected to enjoy more minutes on the pitch as well as Bermuda Under-23 national team member Damon Swan if they can both remain healthy. "We will be okay," added Brown, alluding to Saturday's match with Cougars.

"If everyone shows up to play then it should be a very entertaining match."

Saturday's Trojans/Cougars clash will be preceded by the 7 p.m. curtain raiser between last season's beaten Martonmere Cup finalists PHC Zebras and North Village Rams.