sports reporter Patrick Bean took the opportunity to deliver his mid-term report card for those competing in the Premier and First Divisions. Team positions for defence and offence are based on goals scored and goals conceded.

PREMIER DIVISION North Village: An orderly transition from last season's head coach Kenny Thompson to first year man Scott Morton has paid off in spades for the Red Devils. Morton has been able to achieve a fine mix of mature and young players to create a four point lead at midseason.

(Defence -- 1st; Offence -- 1st) Dandy Town: It took a while, but Town finally appear to be adapting to the philosophy of Andrew Bascome, with last Tuesday night's flairful display of creative, attacking soccer an indication of the potential contained at St.

John's Road. Can they perform on a consistent basis will be the next question asked.

(Defence -- 1st; Offence -- 3rd) Devonshire Colts: A hard team to gauge. Can look decidedly mediocre one day, and appear as world-beaters the next. A big game squad who will win when the incentive exists, but fall off when the challenge is not so great -- something coach Ray Jones will want to address if they are to mount a serious league challenge.

(Defence -- 1st; Offence -- 5th) PHC: The reigning league champions got off to an inauspicious start, losing their first three matches and appearing anything but defending champs. The Zebras rallied to briefly lead the pack, but have stumbled into the Christmas break with injuries taking a toll, and might be blessed by an early exit from the Dudley Eve in order to prepare for a second half charge.

(Defence -- 4th; Offence -- 1st) Wolves: A tough group of overachievers who bring heart and soul to every contest, much as their coach Dennis Brown did during his heyday as Somerset and Bermuda defender. Captured club's first ever Martonmere Cup, but indifferent showings since have been a cause for concern.

(Defence -- 4th; Offence -- 3rd) Somerset: After barely escaping relegation at the end of last season, the Trojans were expected to struggle this year ... and have done so mightily.

First year head man Norbert Simons has battled against apathy towards training, as well as the refusal to play a recent match by two of his senior players.

(Defence -- 7th; Offence -- 6th) Devonshire Cougars: A perennial `Yo-Yo' outfit -- too good for the First Division, not quite good enough for the Premiership -- Cougars find themselves in the customary position of battling to avoid relegation due to their inability to score. Shawn Smith has a team with great heart and defence, but a dearth of scoring talent.

(Defence -- 4th; Offence -- 8th) Southampton: One point after five league matches cost Tyrone Williams his job as head coach, and earned Edgar Smith the role. Smith has much to do as, even after claiming a decisive 3-1 victory over Somerset, Rangers slipped back into old habits with a 6-2 thumping by Dandy Town to remain odds on for the drop.

(Defence -- 8th; Offence -- 7th) FIRST DIVISION St. George's: Can soccer challenge cricket for supremacy in the east? That may be carrying matters a bit far, but Neil Paynter's men certainly look like hitting the rest of the division for six.

(Defence -- 1st; Offence -- 2nd) Paget: The Lions showed great potential in forcing a replay with top flight Dandy Town in the FA Cup, but have to resolve erratic behaviour in their own division.

(Defence -- 1st; Offence -- 3rd) St. David's: A poor early run of close losses precluded strong displays of late. Cannot afford any further slips if they are to challenge for a top two placing.

(Defence -- 3rd; Offence -- 5th) Ireland Rangers: After storming through 1999-2000 and narrowly missing out on promotion on the final day, Rangers were regarded as serious challengers for a top spot again, that was before the sophomore jinx took effect.

(Defence -- 8th; Offence -- 4th) Hamilton Parish: Have a good mixture of veterans with top flight experience, but very little discipline, with a tendency for infighting when chips are down.

(Defence -- 7th; Offence -- 1st) Somerset Eagles: Another team with a solid nucleus of talent, but little discipline and direction. Flying start flattered only to deceive.

(Defence -- 4th; Offence -- 6th) Prospect: The form -- and results -- of the men in blue seems to shift just as the officers take theirs at work, with one never knowing who's going to respond to the call for duty.

(Defence -- 4th; Offence -- 6th) Social Club: Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Remember that powerful all-world Bluebirds team of the '60s and '70s ... this is not it.

(Defence -- 9th; Offence -- 9th) Boulevard: Not quite the way the Blazers envisioned the new millennium. From being -- arguably -- the team of the last decade, they have hit absolute rock bottom, and it may be another 10 years before they fully recover.

(Defence -- 6th; Offence -- 6th).

Cup kings: Wolves celebrated the only major piece of silverware to be handed out in the first half of the season, the Martonmere Cup.