STRUGGLING Premier Division teams St. David’s and Paget will battle for a semi-final place when the Friendship Trophy stages four matches on Sunday.Usually played under lights, the eight Premier Division teams — as well as eight clubs from the First Division Shield Competition — will all be involved on the same day, albeit at neutral grounds to determine the last four. All four venues — Wellington Oval, Southampton Oval, Devonshire Rec. and Somerset — will host double-headers.

Bottom team St. David’s, who were promoted with Paget last season, have a good opportunity to record their first win of the season when they meet Paget at Southampton Oval. However, as Paget proved in their last outing against North Village when they drew 3-3 and were unlucky not to win, they still have plenty of fight left in them and St. David’s cannot take them lightly.

That said, St. David’s, despite their own run of six losses in seven league outings, aren’t giving up the fight either. Last weekend they only lost to Boulevard by the odd goal after taking a surprise lead.

Champions North Village open the defence of their title against Boulevard at Devonshire Rec. in the pick of the four matches.

Boulevard lead the league tables while Village, after a slow start, have climbed to third to remain in the title race as well as qualify for the Dudley Eve. They will have a lot to play for in the new year as they bid to defend the triple crown they won last season.

The two other matches should also be entertaining. Somerset Trojans and PHC Zebras travel to Wellington Oval for their clash, with the Trojans favoured against a Zebras side that has slipped to second-from-bottom in the league tables. They are not only already out of the running for the league, but could soon face a fight for survival if results in the league don’t improve. Coach Kyle Lightbourne will probably have to play more than he planned initially, if things don’t get better.

The other match at Somerset sees Devonshire Cougars and Dandy Town battling for a place in the last four. Town are already out of the FA Cup — the only Premier Division side not in the next round — so they will be desperate to firm some consistency as the holidays approach. Only two points separate the teams in mid-table so this match could go either way.

Promotion favourites Ireland Rangers and Devonshire Colts should advance to the next round of the Shield competition when they travel to Southampton Oval and Wellington Oval for their matches against Prospect and Social Club.

St. George’s play Somerset Eagles in the opening match at Devonshire Rec., while Wolves and Southampton Rangers meet at Somerset in what should be the closest contest amongst the First Division teams.

Schedule

Wellington Oval: YMSC v Devonshire Colts, 12.30; Somerset Trojans v PHC, 2.30.

Southampton Oval: Prospect v Ireland Rangers, 12.30; Paget v St. David’s, 2.30.

Devonshire Rec: St. George’s v Somerset Eagles, 12.30; Boulevard v North Village, 2.30>

Somerset CC:<$> Wolves v Southampton Rangers, 12.30; Devonshire Rec. v Dandy Town, 2.30

l Government have stepped in to sponsor the Premier’s Dudley Eve Tournament to the tune of $15,000 a year. The double elimination tournament, in memory of the former Bermuda Football Association director, will be held over the Christmas and New Year holidays as usual, with night matches at Devonshire Rec and Somerset.

Devonshire Cougars open the defence of their title on home turf against North Village on Tuesday, with Southampton Rangers playing Devonshire Colts in the 7.00 opener for First Division teams.

On Friday night at Somerset, Boulevard and Somerset will meet in the 9.00 contest, after Ireland Rangers and Wolves have squared off in the 7.00 opener.

Further dates for the tournament will be Boxing Day at St. David’s, December 28 at Devonshire Rec. before the two leg-finals take place at Somerset on Saturday, December 30 and New Year’s Day at White Hill field.