from the boys ... contenders from pretenders.

Dandy Town are one of those teams anxious to confirm themselves as legitimate challengers for the Premier Division championship, and tomorrow they get the chance to do just that against pesky Wolves.

Town finished the first half as one of the hottest sides on the Island, with convincing wins over Southampton Rangers and current league leaders North Village.

Two defeats and early elimination from the Dudley Eve Trophy tournament followed. However, both losses came via the sudden-death penalty route and could well have gone either way.

A positive sign for Hornets' head coach Andrew Bascome is the fact that Town have displayed a fine scoring touch, having tallied 13 goals in their last four matches.

In Wolves, Town face the reigning Martonmere Cup champions, but since that momentous triumph the Hermitage Road outfit have appeared decidedly ordinary, sliding from the top ranks to fifth place.

Having had the opportunity to rest, recharge and regroup, it can be expected that coach Dennis Brown has devised a scheme to return his men to the upper echelon.

And with Village threatening to run away with the league, Brown knows that victory is imperative, or all they will have to shoot for is a Martonmere slot next year.

If this were the 1980s -- or even earlier -- there would be no doubt about the status of the PHC versus Somerset clash.

Indeed, come Sunday, the stadium would be one transformed into a sea of Zebra outfits, along with the traditional red and blue of the Trojans. But, alas, this is the new millennium and the match -- and rivalry -- stands merely as just another game on the calendar.

Nevertheless, both sides have much to play for, with fourth placed PHC still having designs on defending their league title, while Somerset seek to continue their journey from the cellar region.

Somerset, having been sidelined throughout the holiday season, will hope that the rest has done them good while PHC seek a win to get their stalled campaign back on track.

The Zebras have injury worries with the likes of top striker Stephen Astwood and defender Corey Dowling fighting to regain full fitness, while Somerset should be at full strength.

Tomorrow's other top flight affair looks like a mismatch on paper, with Devonshire Colts favoured over bottom club Southampton. But Rangers can be expected to put up a fight.

Colts were held to a draw by Rangers during their first encounter and, while Southampton embarked on a rapid downward spiral following that meeting, they have shown signs of revival under new head coach Edgar Smith.

Colts appeared mentally and physically drained during the Dudley Eve Trophy final, and it may well be that Rangers could catch the men in orange at a vulnerable period.

Some intriguing match-ups are also on schedule in the First Division with leaders St. George's facing a tough away fixture against arch-rivals St.

David's.

St. George's narrowly squeezed by their neighbours during the first affair at Wellington Oval, but will find the surroundings a lot more hostile across the harbour.

The first game at the Oval will see another interesting clash, as second placed Paget tackle unpredictable Hamilton Parish.

Parish, on their day, can run with the best, but one can only wonder who will show up, whether it be Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde.

Remaining affairs see Ireland Rangers hosting Prospect at Malabar, while Somerset Eagles welcome Boulevard to White Hill Field.

In Women's Division play, Dandy Stars host Wolves Girls while Little Venice tackle Royals at BAA Field.