The big disappointment is that Wolves and Hamilton Parish won't be meeting in what would have been a classic Shield final.

But an exciting match should still result when the best two teams in the Second Division meet tonight in the first of two cup semi-finals at Somerset Cricket Club. Hotels and Boulevard clash in the Friendship Trophy semi-final at 9.00.

The first two places in the finals were determined last week when St. George's beat St. David's in the Shield and Vasco edged by Devonshire Colts in the Friendship.

While a Wolves-Parish final would have been a fitting way for the two teams to end their season, tonight's match-up should be equally exciting with both gunning for a promotion-Shield double.

Judging by both teams' achievements this season it's a match worthy of the final.

Both recently clinched promotion to the First Division but the fight still goes on for the Second Division title. Wolves presently lead Parish by six points in the standings but Parish have two games in hand which means they could finish level on points, although Wolves currently hold a better goal difference.

Wolves have one game remaining (against Social Club in late March) while Parish have three more matches.

The teams have met three times this season with Wolves winning the first league meeting and then a thriller in the FA Cup, while Parish recently ended their perfect run in the league with a 3-2 victory at Devonshire Rec, having taken a 3-0 lead after just 15 minutes.

"Our game plan that day was to try to keep the ball in their half and definitely try to get an early jump on them and hold out as best we could,'' said coach David Furbert of last month's match.

"For some reason Wolves and Hamilton Parish seems to be a very good match-up.

In all the meetings the football has been reasonably good and the games have been pretty exciting.'' Both teams started the season with promotion first and foremost on their minds. Winning the Shield will be a bonus.

"Our goal at the beginning of the season was simply to get promoted and we're pleased that we were able to achieve that,'' added Furbert.

But the coach acknowledged there was still a lot of work to be done before next season.

"Most definitely! Midfield to front I feel they can compete with most First Division teams,'' Furbert stated. "But defensively we have a lot of work to do.'' Despite the rivalry that exists between the teams, Furbert said his team were pulling for Wolves in their recent FA Cup meeting with North Village because they were carrying the Second Division flag.

"We felt their performance was a statement on the two teams,'' said the coach. "They are a very good team. I think Dennis Brown has done an excellent job down there.

"I'm just hoping the better team on the night wins. I wouldn't want us to play well and not win the game.'' Both teams won the Shield the last time they were promoted, Wolves in 1988-89 and Parish in 1990-91.

Hotels and Boulevard will both be trying to reach the Friendship final for the first time since the 1980s. The winners of tonight's clash have a tough opponent in Vasco awaiting them in the final.

Boulevard will be hoping to add the Friendship to the Martonmere Cup they won in November, having recently been eliminated from the FA Cup by Vasco, while Hotels are hoping a good result will lift them for their fight against relegation.