programme resumes after the Christmas break.

It was at this stage last season that Colts, coming off defeat in the Dudley Eve final, began their run towards a first league title in more than two decades.

Now they will be hoping history repeats itself as, again having failed in the Dudley Eve final, they set their sights on retaining their league crown.

Colts were unbeaten in the second half of last season, finishing with a seven-win, two-draw record and the pressure will mount as they try to repeat as champions, something not managed since PHC had back-to-back triumphs in 1989 and '90.

Colts kick off the new year with a hard match against Southampton Rangers at BAA Field (9.00) and have the chance to move back into first place overnight.

This will be Colts' third match in five days and they can expect a tough encounter against a well rested Rangers team who have not lost in their last five league games.

Presently Colts, Boulevard and North Village all trail leaders Vasco by two points, with Vasco also having a game in hand from the first half against bottom team Devonshire Cougars who played PHC last night.

The Colts game was brought forward to replace the Vasco-Dandy Town clash which was pushed back to Sunday because of ongoing light problems at PHC Stadium where no night matches have been played since last March.

The three matches tomorrow all hold great importance, with Vasco meeting mid-table Dandy Town at PHC Stadium, Hotels playing Somerset in a clash of the two promoted teams from last season and North Village hosting Boulevard at Bernard Park in a game between two title contenders.

If Vasco can pull off victory against Town they could give themselves some breathing space, especially with Village playing Boulevard. One or both of them could drop points and thus fall off the pace.

Both Village and Boulevard had an unsuccessful run in the Dudley Eve, with Boulevard becoming the first team to be eliminated after two straight losses to Vasco and Colts while Village failed at the semi-final stage against Colts despite leading 1-0 late in the game.

Hotels and Somerset Trojans occupy seventh and eighth places in the standings prior to last night's game and their immediate aim mut be to strengthen those league positions. They are both averaging less than a goal a game so this clash at Southampton Oval could be low scoring.

The battle continues tomorrow for two Second Division promotion spots, though it is beginning to look more and more like Wolves and Hamilton Parish will be the teams going.

Wolves played third-placed Paget last night and entered the game leading Parish by five points. Paget and St. David's were a further four points behind Parish who are away to struggling Somerset Eagles tomorrow.