By Ty-Ron Douglas PHC Zebras are threatening to be a force again in local football.

After losing only one match so far, the team once fondly known as the Strike Force find themselves sitting on top of the Premier Division with the best record in the league, and poised to make a bid for their first trophy of the season.

To the surprise of most, PHC were the top qualifiers for the Dudley Eve competition and with college students returning they promise to be even stronger for the holiday tournament. They meet defending league champions Vasco in their opening game next Wednesday.

Few would have thought this team, who endured humiliating relegation just two seasons ago, would have come roaring back so quickly.

Back to join the team for Christmas and New Year are fleet-footed defender Stanton Lewis, goalkeeper Jay Smith and midfielder Blenn Bean, giving coach Sammy Swan added options.

In fact Lewis, a product of the PHC youth programme, is a recent graduate of Alabama A&M University having completed a bachelor of science degree in physical education and will be back for the remainder of the season. He plans to teach at the middle or high school level but has ambitions of becoming a professional soccer player.

His immediate priority, however, is establishing himself in the Zebras line-up, having played his first match of the season on Tuesday night against Dandy Town in the Friendship Trophy when he came on as replacement for the injured Dano Outerbridge at half-time.

"I just came in to do a job. The coach put me in there and I had to do my best not to let myself or my team down,'' said Lewis, the day after the 3-0 victory.

PHC have won the Dudley Eve a record six times and will be looking for their first triumph since 1996-97.

"I believe, based on the standings alone, we have as good a chance as anyone else,'' Lewis added.

"We may appear to have a greater edge as we have won it six or seven times before. When we are in there (The Dudley Eve competition), it seems to be our cup.'' Asked why he believed PHC had done so well this season, Lewis responded: "Fitness and execution. Sammy had the guys doing a lot of fitness work in pre-season training and our strikers are doing well.

"There is also a lot of harmony on our team.'' Lewis sees great opportunities for players locally and pinpoints international exposure as the key element in taking players to the next level. Presently he is a member of the senior national squad and could be a part of Clyde Best's plans for the upcoming World Cup campaign.

"We need to play as many international games as possible and players need to have a strong desire to improve their game,'' said Lewis.

"Based on the World Cup draw, the possibilities are definitely there. This can be a major stepping stone in putting Bermuda back on the map.'' Lewis, himself, is no stranger to international exposure having been a part of the national programme since first being included in the Under-16 squad.

While at Alabama A&M, where he was once voted the most outstanding Freshman player, Lewis also played for the Chattanooga Express in a semi-professional indoor/outdoor league and the Internationals, a squad made up most of Bermudian students in the Huntsville area.

Other members of that team included Rohaan Simons, Lloyd Holder, Michael Furbert, Dawud Tucker, Johnny Bean and Kofi Dill, with Richard Todd the coach.

The final Dudley Eve spot will be determined tonight at BAA Field when Vasco meet Devonshire Colts (8.00), who must win to finish in the top four.

Any other result would eliminate them and give Dandy Town, presently fourth, a pass to the holiday classic.

Stanton Lewis: will further strengthen PHC's defence as they make a run for the Dudley Eve trophy over the Christmas and New Year holidays.