that Devonshire Colts have ruined their triple crown aspirations.

The league race is still wide open with six matches remaining. Village hold a two-point lead over PHC and are five ahead of third-placed Dandy Town, who they meet tonight at St. John's Field (8.00).

Town's own title aspirations will depend on a victory, as a Village win would leave the St. John's Road team eight points adrift.

On paper, Town have one of the strongest squads, though inconsistency seems to be their biggest problem.

They started the new year by losing to Somerset, but bounced back in their next game to beat former leaders PHC.

Colts, who knocked Village out of the Friendship Trophy competition in midweek, could also seal the fate of St. David's when they travel to the east end tomorrow to meet the bottom team in the Premier Division.

St. David's have been out of their depth this season and their ticket back to the lower division could be stamped this weekend when they host Colts. Even a victory won't prevent the inevitable as St. David's would have to win their last six matches in order to climb out of the bottom three.

The most points St. David's can finish with, assuming they go on a winning streak, is 19, which is one less than Wolves and Somerset had going into last night's match.

One, or possibly two, so-called established clubs will drop into the First Division along with St. David's. Boulevard, in ninth place and three points adrift of Southampton Rangers, look very likely to be one of those teams.

Not since 1984 have Boulevard been out of the top division, but their squad doesn't possess the depth they they had when they were winning the major trophies in the 1990s, including four FA, two league and four Martonmere titles.

The Blazers travel to BAA Field to meet Vasco knowing that time is running out if they are to pull themselves clear of the relegation zone. But Vasco, only three points clear of the bottom three, won't be in any mood to throw away points.

Southampton Rangers' loss to Vasco last weekend kept them in the bottom three and they too will be battling for maximum points when they take on PHC at Somerset. Rangers have been relegated twice in the 1990s, while even PHC, who are in their first season back, will only be four points away from the danger zone if they lose.

The battle for the lone promotion spot in the First Division is intensifying.

Second and third-placed Social Club and Devonshire Cougars will meet for the second time in five days when they clash at Bernard Park.

Social Club beat Cougars in midweek to move into the Shield final. And while they are also still in the FA Cup, their main aim is promotion back into the top division.

The Social Club-Cougars match will give leaders Ireland Rangers the opportunity to extend their lead over at least one of the teams as they shouldn't have too much trouble taking all three points from bottom team Paget at Malabar.

With just two points separating Ireland Rangers from Cougars, the race for promotion should be between three teams, with Hamilton Parish in fourth likely to act as spoilers. Parish are away to Prospect while St. George's entertain Somerset Eagles at Wellington Oval.