Boulevard received a gift of life, while Devonshire Colts expended their last breath in this season's Dudley Eve Trophy as two second half goals allowed the former passage into today's semifinal game against North Village (BAA Field, 3 p.m.).

Kenny Hill and Stevie Wade were the providers of Boxing Day holiday cheer for the victors, scoring within moments of each other, to offset a late penalty strike by Colts' midfielder Mark Ray.

Appearing sluggish, neither side played with much enthusiasm until late in the match -- too much Christmas pudding, perhaps.

To Colts, the Blazers could just as well have been Scrooge, raining on their parade and sending them home for the rest of the holidays.

Both performed with depleted line-ups. Boulevard were without the services of at least five starters, while Colts toiled in the absence of captain and leading scorer Ellington Weldon, forward Craig Smith and defender Keenan Burchall.

Colts were strong early and late, initiating periods of intense pressure, but Boulevard appeared where it counted most...on the score-sheet.

"Give all the credit to the team, we're really being stretched to the limit with all the injuries,'' said Boulevard coach Gary Mallory afterwards. "We're been trying to get through (the competition) and stay injury free, but each time more are being picked up.

"We're making changes, bringing in new players...the games have to be played. Today (Sunday) we had Dean Boyles as the only regular playing in defence.'' Midfielder Herbie Bascome and striker Kenny Hill were the latest to join the casualty list on Sunday with both having to be substituted and their status is questionable for the Village match.

Still Mallory said that his men will soldier on in their quest for what would be their third trophy of the season, having already seized the Charity Cup and Martonmere Cup.

"We'll take each game as it comes and just go out and do the job we have to do.'' Hill earned his keep against Colts when he, Bascome and Dwight combined in the 64th minute during a quick counter-attack. Bascome and Dwight worked the ball up the field before Warren laid a ball into the penalty area for an open Hill to bundle the ball past an advancing Antoine Lightbourne in goal for Devonshire.

Hardly had the thought of that first goal settled in the minds of the crowd when Hill turned supplier, provided the crucial pass to Wade, who had eluded his marker and easily slotted the ball home from nine yards.

Realising the finality a loss would bring, Colts picked up their game, pinning Boulevard in their own half.

They were rewarded in the 77th minute with a penalty for a somewhat dubious handball decision by the referee against centre-back Kenny Darrell and Ray gave 'keeper Mitchell Steede no chance with his spot kick.

However, this was as close as Colts came, thus making them the first to be bounced.

Boulevard: M.Steede; A.Brown, D.Boyles, K.Darrell, V.Eve; H.Bascome (S.Smith 68 mins), D.Warren, C.Caisey; N.Hull, K.Hill (J.Boyles 68 mins), S.Wade.

Devonshire Colts: A.Lightbourne; L.Hypolite, J.Samuels, D.Wright, D.Williams; G.Burt (J.Bean 37 mins), M.Ray, V.Ball; Q.Aberdeen (A.Zuill 84 mins), K.Smith, H.Trott.

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.

Men of the match: Dean Boyles (Boulevard), Mark Ray (Devonshire Colts).

BAA and Somerset Terminators clash in the opening match at BAA (1 p.m.) as the women get their first taste of action for the season.

BOXING DAY CLASH -- Boulevard forward Norrell Hull (left) and Quincy Aberdeen of Colts battle for the ball during the Dudley Eve Trophy competition at Somerset.