TWO wins in their next two outings will bring some comfort to Hamilton Parish over the Christmas holidays . . . even though it may not be enough to qualify them for the Premier's Dudley Eve Champions Cup.

Parish's hope of survival received a big boost last Sunday when they edged PHC 1-0 to climb from seventh to fifth in the Premier Division tables. Presently they sit level on points with PHC and one point ahead of North Village in what could be a three-way fight for the fourth Dudley Eve spot.

Parish, promoted last season along with Southampton Rangers, next meet Village and Rangers in two matches that could shape their season.

"I'm proud of the players but we need to be more consistent," said coach Mark (Burger) Jennings who watched the team lose three straight after their 4-1 victory over Devonshire Colts on opening day.

"We're going to have to go into every game and fight like it's the last game, just like we did against PHC and were rewarded. Now we want to do the same with North Village and Rangers in this half."

Players and coaches have been complaining about the gaps in the league schedule which gives Premier Division teams another break this weekend. Jennings isn't unduly worried and welcomes more time to work on certain things in training.

"For us the break is good, this is like the second half start," said the coach.

"North Village are a good club and you can't count them out. Regardless of their problems we are going to go into that game replenished in regards to self confidence and working hard for each other and we will be looking to come out of that game with some sort of points. Also in the game against Rangers who have done a good thing in that they have only lost once. The next three games coming up are against teams under us, but in every game we will have to work because Devonshire Colts put in that extra performance against Cougars recently (draw)."

The last time Parish played in the Dudley Eve, back when there was a 10-team Premier Division, they were also almost relegated that same season after a disappointing second half of the campaign. Jennings said he was reminded of that recently in a conversation with former coach Johnny Nusum.

However, there is no doubt the team ¿ any team ¿ would rather be in the top four rather than in the bottom four.

Parish received a boost after the PHC win when three players, sweeper Kaiya Darrell, striker Jamie Smith and stopper Calvin Hansey were invited by Kyle Lightbourne to trials with the Hogges.

In Nigel Burgess, Parish have one of the best goalkeepers on the Island while former North Village, Boulevard and Bermuda international Neil (Diamond) Robinson is lending his experience to the midfield. Late transfer Chris Caisey Jr played his first game for the club in the PHC win so there are encouraging signs for the club.

"We are pretty strong right through the middle and we've got a bit of depth on the bench," said the coach who also gives a lot of the credit to assistant coach Ernest Lathan for the work he has done within the club over the years in helping bring players through the ranks.

"We just need to be a bit more consistent and work together more as a unit. No team is far ahead in terms of skills. If you get a team that is fit, believes in themselves and keeps things simple, they can stay in the Premier Division. Right now we're in a happy place but we can't get too comfortable."

Jennings landed the coaching job at Parish after last season's coach Meshach Wade couldn't resist the challenge of taking over at Dandy Town. Many expected Parish to struggle but so far they are holding their own.

"As a coach I like to take on a challenge," said Jennings who has a three-year contract. "If you get knocked down so what, you just get back up and try again. We're not afraid to try at Hamilton Parish and, yes, some of our players still need to be sharpened up but we're getting closer to where we need to be as a team."

He added: "The club is on the right path all the way around, we don't just want to develop good soccer players but also decent people. Nigel Burgess's attitude is second to none. He could have easily gone off to another team but he didn't. I give him a lot of credit for sticking with his club, knowing the challenges we faced coming up into the Premier Division. He's a great asset to Hamilton Parish where he is also the treasurer. He's an excellent role model."

l The First Division takes the spotlight again this Sunday with six teams continuing their fight for Dudley Eve qualification. Joint leaders St. David's and St. George's, along with Somerset Eagles, are in the driver's seat with Ireland Rangers, fourth, still in strong contention ahead of inconsistent Young Men's Social Club and Somerset Trojans.

St. David's could virtually seal their spot and all but eliminate the Trojans when they entertain the west enders at St. David's. At nearby Wellington Oval, St. George's Colts meet Ireland Rangers in another match between two promotion-chasing teams.

Eagles bounced back from their first league loss to St. George's last weekend with a 3-1 win over Wolves on Wednesday night to climb into third spot, just two points behind. They travel to Bernard Park to meet a Social Club side that have lost their last four league and cup outings (their latest a 3-2 loss to X-Roads in the Shield on Wednesday night).

In the weekend loss to St. David's, Social Club were forced to play top scorer Clay Darrell in goal because of the one-game suspension of goalkeeper Clifton Hall. And while Darrell was back leading the attack and scoring his 10th goal of the season, the team's slump continued.

The signs are not encouraging for them as they are now six points behind the leaders in the division. Coach Troy Lewis insisted before the X-Roads defeat that the team was not in a slump and that there is inconsistency throughout Bermuda football, not just one team.

Social Club play Eagles, Prospect and Ireland Rangers in their next three matches as they hope to end the first half on a winning note.

In Sunday's other First Division matches, X-Roads, bottom of the tables, meet BAA at Garrison Field in the only 12.30 fixture on Field while Prospect entertain Wolves at Police Field.