Jubilation filled the Somerset Eagles camp after the newly-promoted White Hill crew took Frog Lane by storm and seized victory from Devonshire Colts yesterday.

Virtually banished to relegation by pundits even before a ball was kicked, Eagles answered the critics in illuminating fashion... by winning.

And while their method may not have appealed to the trained eye, it was nonetheless effective, raining upon the head coaching debut of Colts' Vic Ball who could only watch as his new charges produced a performance of ineptitude.

A 68th minute strike from forward Dion Minors settled the affair in which Eagles served notice that they will not act as wilful sacrifices, but intend to show that they belong in the First Division.

"Right now teams are taking us for nothing and I told them that if we put the work in we can catch those that think we're slack,'' said Gary (Tuba) Mallory, who last year guided Eagles to promotion. "The main thing I said to them was `if they have team spirit and never say die we can do it'.

"Everybody's written us off and the media has played us for nothing, but hopefully this is just a stepping stone for greater things.'' Colts were made into believers this day as they had no answers to the forceful drive exhibited by the West End team, who made up for what they lacked in skill with hustle and determination.

Still, it was the home team that got the better of most exchanges during the opening half, taking advantage of apparent nervousness among their inexperienced opponents.

Mark Ray first brought the meagre crowd to their collective feet in the ninth minute when he sent a searing volley from the edge of the penalty area inches over the crossbar after a fine overlapping run and cross by right-back Keenan Burchall.

However, Eagles should rightly have taken the lead soon after as a wide open Oscar Riley missed badly with a close range header created when Frank Smith presented the opportunity with a delicate chip from the goal-line.

The failed chance seemed to awaken Colts from their slumber and Damon Ming brought out a fine save from Eagles' goalkeeper Ricardo Tucker from his equally spectacular bicycle kick from 11-yards, made possible by a floated, right-wing cross by Jahmah Samuels.

Samuels was again involved five minutes prior to the half-time interval, taking a short corner from Jason Smith and laying the ball to a lurking Ray whose rocket whistled untouched across the goal-mouth.

Loosening the shackles, Eagles came further into their own beyond the break, exposing large holes in the Colts defence and making an unwilling target of 'keeper Randy Darrell.

For the most part the goalie weathered the storm, parrying a goal-bound attempt from captain Everett Wellman in the 54th minute, but having no response 14 minutes later to Minors.

Wallace Wellman made the chance as he was allowed free reign into the Colts half from his right-back spot and his searching cross was simply steered into the low left corner by Minors from just inside the penalty area, throwing supporters into a frenzy while dropping the heads of Colts.

Action meandered back and forth following the score and Eagles should have gone further ahead moments from the end as substitute Ruffins Hill squandered a breakaway with only Darrell to beat.

Devonshire Colts: R.Darrell; K.Burchall, M.Hollis, S.Burgess, D.Williams; M.Ray, J.Smith, J.Samuels; S.Phillips (J.Belboda 77 mins); V.Ball, D.Ming (C.Smith 69 mins) Somerset Eagles: R.Tucker; T.Smith, J.Richardson, C.Williams, W.Wellman; R.Brangman, O.Riley (R.Hill 81 mins), F.Smith; S.Burrows (R.Wilson 69 mins); D.Minors (R.Simons 85 mins), E.Wellman Men of the Match: Shannon Burgess (Devonshire Colts); Jerome Richardson (Somerset Eagles) Referee: Chris Terry