team that has long been a major force in Bermuda soccer.

This Sunday will see them taking part in their 16th FA Cup final of which they have won eight times, second only to Somerset who have captured a record nine titles.

After a mediocre 1990-91 campaign -- by their standards -- where they managed to capture the Charity Cup and Dudley Eve Trophy, but finished a disappointing fifth in the league, the Zebras came back with a vengeance this time around.

They were in line for the triple crown until being upset by Southampton Rangers in the Friendship Trophy final and can still exit with the League and FA Cup double as well as the Charity Cup, already locked in their trophy cabinet.

In fact PHC were involved in every competition. They were early-round casualties in both the Martonmere Cup and Dudley Eve Trophy.

The season started off on a high note with the winning of the Charity Cup over former league champions Boulevard by a 2-0 margin and continued by blasting First Division newcomers Hamilton Parish 5-0 in the first league match.

However, they were quickly brought back down to earth when they were hammered 4-0 by Dandy Town in the opening round of the Martonmere Cup and later eliminated from the competition by the Blazers.

"We started off well against Boulevard in the Charity Cup, but it took a while for us to really get into our rhythm,'' said coach Alfie Eve when asked about his team's shaky early performances. "It was part of the period where we were slow off the mark.'' He also noted that two of his key players, Kyle Lightbourne and Winston Trott, Jr., struggled a bit early on with their form.

Said Eve: "Kyle (Lightbourne) and Winston (Trott) had just come off a long cricket season and took a little while to get mentally adjusted to playing football.'' The Zebras suffered further losses against Somerset and Devonshire Colts and stood a lowly sixth after four league games.

"It was a situation where games were there to be won,'' said Eve. "PHC are a team all opposition want to beat and Somerset and Colts played well to beat us.'' These turned out to be the only games PHC would lose in the league as they regrouped and stormed back to take over the league leadership on November 17 with convincing 4-2 wins over both North Village and Boulevard.

After four more victories, including a 4-0 triumph over Commercial Division team Island Rangers in the first round of the FA Cup, they appeared primed and ready to defend the Dudley Eve Trophy. So it came as a surprise when Boulevard and Hamilton Parish were able to manhandle them, sending them tumbling out of the competition.

Said Eve: "The fellows felt a bit of the pinch being the defending champions.

It's always hard being in that position.

"I was particularly disappointed going out to that last-minute penalty.'' Consistent team play down the stretch has been the key for them remaining atop the league and in the running for the other competitions -- FA Cup and Friendship Trophy.

"Our success comes from the fact that we try to play as a unit,'' said Eve.

"We don't have a lot of stars but play as a team.

"It's like a choir. You don't have to have a bunch of good voices, but when you blend together the sound is good.'' Relatively easy wins over BAA and Parish in the quarter-finals and semifinals of the FA Cup paved the way for their appearance in the final at the National Stadium where they have had their problems as of late.

Eve said that overall, this year has been a good one for the club.

"There's been a marked improvement this year from last season.

"We've won the league. And that is one that all the teams want to win because it says that you're the best.'' ALFIE EVE -- Hoping to go out on a good note.