programme saw attention switch to relegation and promotion battles.

In the lower section, Fire Service appear likely to join champions North Village Rams in making the leap to the top flight -- provided Rams are unsuccessful in their petition to the governing body to remain in Group B.

The Firemen doused a surprisingly stubborn Exiles 4-3 at Shelly Bay, with both Troy Furbert and Allan Wilkinson scoring a pair of goals.

Those offset a hat-trick by Exiles' leading marksman Allan Johnson, who was in impressive form.

Second by a point and with one match left against lowly Somerset Extros, Service are firm favourites for the second promotion spot.

Bermuda Pest Control took over sole possession of third place on the strength of a 2-0 defeat of Devonshire Lions as Anthony Francis and Delton White each got on the scoresheet.

Falling from the race were Valley, edged 4-3 by Wolves Pack in an exciting and tense affair at the Den.

Valley twice found themselves in front, but on each occasion saw the home side fight back, before falling to a late winner from Delroy O'Brien.

Other scorers for the victors were Kevin Hendrickson (two) and Kurt Douglas, while Timothy Telford (two) and Kevin Isaac replied for Valley, although Isaac was guilty of a bushel of missed chances that could easily have reversed the result.

Meanwhile, Rams did little to sway the Bermuda Football Association in their appeal to stay in Group B, battering Prison Officers 10-3 at Bernard Park.

Wendell Baxter struck a hat-trick, Mike Levon and Allan Fray each scored two, while Wayne Pimental, Allan Smith and Clarence Burrows tallied one apiece.

Denton Leader scored two for Officers.

In a bottom of the table clash, Somerset Extros downed Belco 6-4. Extros' scorers were unavailable, while Kent Burgess, Anthony Dill and Shawn Spencer notched three of the four for Belco.

Who will join Forties in making the drop? Next weekend will tell the tale, as either MR Onions or Devonshire Colts All-Stars will find themselves placed in the down elevator alongside already confirmed Forties.

Neither side aided their cause on Saturday, both crumbling to embarrassing defeats.

Onions were plundered 5-0 by Robin Hood, who jumped from third to second, ahead of Island Rangers.

John Beardsley registered three goals, while Alan Mooney and Colin McQueen each had one, keeping Onions second from bottom with 11 points.

All-Stars stand on 13, having surrendered 3-0 to Lobster Pot, as Tim Brown, Bob Markowski and Niall Moffatt found the range.

At the top end BAA Wanderers punctuated their position as champions with an emphatic 4-0 drubbing of then second placed Island Rangers.

Steve Irvine tallied two goals, with Gary Flood and Vincent Chaves scoring one each.

Another high scoring affair had Mariners dispose of Forties 5-2, Craig Dixon ravaging the home side's defence for four goals, while Frank Massaflora added the other. Derek Patience converted a penalty for Forties.

The remaining fixture between mid-table clubs Spinning Wheel and St. George's All-Stars ended with the former winning 2-0 as Des Minors and Jack Castle hit the back of the net.