THEIR pub may be no more but there is no stopping the football players of MR Onions who clinched the Commercial League title last week in fine style with the 6-1 hammering of North Village Rams.

Onions have been in unstoppable form from the off, dropping just two points before Christmas and recording just one league loss all campaign.

The side has scored 66 goals and conceded just 16 goals ¿ only two of those have been conceded at home ¿ at the large and immaculate surface of Lords.

Manager Phil Anderson said: "We love it up there. St. David's is a quality pitch ¿ it's big and it suits our style of play as we like to get the ball down and play football.

"With our fitness levels being pretty good for a Commercial team we can certainly find weaknesses in the opposition."

Indeed fitness and a strong squad have made the difference this year said Anderson who was also at the helm when the side came third last season ¿ two seasons after winning the title for the first time.

"When you have injuries and suspensions you can struggle against any team in the league but when you have a strong squad throughout you have good players coming through you can still grind out results." He recalled more than half the team regulars missing the first tie against North Village earlier this season but the side still managing to eke out a 3-2 win.

Asked to single out outstanding players he credits midfielders Nigel Forresters and Matt Ashfold while mentioning that Sam O'Shaughnessy has been the model of consistency in defence.

And the Irish front pairing of Eoghan O'Dwyer and Colin Keane are arguably the most feared partnership in the Commercial League.

"You can't forget the commitment that Eoghan O'Dwyer puts and obviously Keano banging in the goals this season ¿ he has scored 29 now.

"When you midfielders like Niall Baillie and Matt Ashfold getting into double figures that makes a difference."

Anderson, who is no slouch up front himself, is regular for Devonshire Colts and the 33-year-old Englishmen said he hasn't found it too much of a burden with the double team commitment with at least three training sessions in mid week and two games on weekends.

"I love football and love being around it so the more football the better. It beats shopping doesn't it?"

He would love the chance to take Onions into the First Division ¿ if the league allowed it but he realises that he will also have to strengthen the squad again with Keane heading home in the summer.

Asked about the quality of the Commerical League Anderson said: "Dandy Town in the last couple of seasons have been very strong. They have had a few players come through as they have left their first team and joined the Commercial so they have strengthened."

Former Commercial League powerhouses Robin Hood have transformed after being on the wane in recent years.

Hood coach Paul Scope said he was pleased with a third-place finish after almost being relegated last season.

And he added : "MR Onions deservedly won the league with a very strong, fit and consistent team, well coached by Phil Anderson. Last year's Champions, Dandy Town Roots are very talented, especially up front with Darren Minors and Paul Cann, but lost the crucial matches with MRs, to just fall short.

"Other talented teams like North Village Rams, Key West and Lobster Pot lacked the consistency to challenge and BAA, always difficult to beat, just didn't score enough goals."

He said a resurgent Tuff Dogs with a couple of good late transfer signings improved so much that they stand a good chance of beating the drop by winning their last game on Saturday. He predicted Valley will then be doomed to join Extros in Division B next season.

Meanwhile the Commercial B which has expanded to 14 teams this year was split in two odd-numbered groups, a decision which has angered some clubs who have had fewer games and sometimes have been forced to go weeks without action due to bye weeks and cup weekends. Group One winners St. George's All-Stars will play Group Two winners Prospect/Fire on Saturday to decide who wins the title although St. George's are likely to opt out of moving up to the A league.