Devonshire Cougars and North Village Rams will look to take the shortest route to the Dudley Eve final when the two powerhouses collide head on at Wellington Oval on Boxing Day (2.30 p.m.).

Cougars and Rams are fresh off close wins over Dandy Town and PHC respectively and a win for either team in their next encounter –a repeat of the 2005-06 final at the same venue –will automatically qualify them for the New Year’s Day final to be held at Somerset Cricket Club.

Rams have already enjoyed success over the Big Cats this season. But in recent cup meetings between the two –particularly in the East End- it is Cougars who have reined supreme.

Cougars have also appeared in the last three Dudley Eve finals, and will undoubtedly look to make it four, but could find their work cut out for them against a Rams team that can never be underestimated.

Likewise, First Division rivals Southampton Rangers and Hamilton Parish will also try to avoid having to go the extra mile to get to the Dudley Eve final when they meet in the curtain raiser (12.30 p.m.) at Wellington Oval on Wednesday.

Rangers squeeked by Somerset Eagles last week in their Dudley Eve opener while Parish defeated a gutsy St.David’s on penalties at Lords last Sunday.

Dudley Eve action is also slated for the Den on Friday.