Youth versus experience.

Which one shall prevail in the battle for local soccer supremacy? Will it be the precocious brigade forwarded by Somerset? Can the seasoned men from Dandy Town rise from the ashes and claim their second consecutive First Division title? On the one side there lies the reigning champions, battle-worn yet bent on repeating and proving that they remain Bermuda's best.

Conversely, the flip side features the boundless energy that comes with youth -- largely unaware, but focussed on the ultimate prize.

Who will come out on top? Which manner shall be served? Somerset went a long way toward settling the argument on Sunday as they took the direct route through Town, seizing a 2-0 victory at St. John's field -- their fourth in five meeting this season -- serving notice that rather than a team of the future they have arrived...today.

A fact imposed on Town, who now find themselves chasing rather than being pursued.

And just how does Somerset feel about their new status as favourites and the objects of everyone's desire? "It's best to be at the top and let teams chase you at this time in the league,'' said a jovial Somerset head coach Josef Gooden following Sunday's victory.

"It took a lot of hard work and determination. We really wanted the game, applied ourselves, kept chasing and never gave up.'' This resolve was sorely needed on a day when the home side dominated for vast periods in every area -- defence, midfield and attack -- but simply came up short in the most vital category, goals scored.

Time and again the west enders were put on the defensive by a rampaging Town front-line, but on every occasion the Trojans proved equal to the test, their defence ironclad.

Somerset sit squarely in the driver's seat, but Town are not yet ready to surrender a crown they have worn with pride over the last 11 months.

Even with the defeat they stand just a point behind the new leaders -- Somerset have 20 compared to 19 for Town and Boulevard -- with two games left and any slip could let them back in for a shot at the title.

That fact is not lost on stand-in coach Devarr Boyles.

"Certainly we're not out of it,'' said Boyles, sounding optimistic, as do all coaches. "We just have to hope that somebody can take a point or two off of Somerset and we win the rest of our games.

"Today (Sunday) wasn't a bad effort. I thought defensively we did a reasonable job and our forwards created chances, but didn't put any away.'' Somerset did, allowing them to control their own destiny.

Stay tuned.

Somerset tonight turn their attention to another prize when they face Devonshire Cougars in the semi-finals of the Friendship Trophy at PHC (9 p.m.).

The opening fixture has Prospect taking on Somerset Eagles in the Shield competition at 7 p.m.