Defending Dudley Eve Champions Cup champions Devonshire Cougars were among the three Premier Division clubs that qualified for this year?s festive competition over the weekend.

Cougars made amends by defeating North Village on penalties in last year?s final at Wellington Oval after losing to Dandy Town ? also on penalties ? during the 2004-05 final at White Hill Field.

The Big Cats cruised by winless St. David?s 3-0 at Lords last Sunday to take over sole possession of first place in the Premier Division standings to position themselves to defend their title during the Christmas holiday season, a commitment Cougars? assistant coach Gary Mallory said his players are looking forward to.

?Every tournament we enter we try to win,? Mallory said. ?We just happen to be the defending champions in this particular tournament (Dudley Eve) and so obviously we want to try and put our best foot forward.

?As always the onus is on every team member to step up their game, and we always prefer to take on challenges as they arise.?

And so far Cougars have managed to overcome many hurdles and claim a second Martonmere Cup title in six seasons since the 2006-07 campaign began two months ago.

Included among those challenges were having to adapt to life without midfield schemer Heys Wolfe ? who transferred back to Dandy Town ? and coach Andrew Bascome whose ?personal leave? of absence appears to have ruffled a few feathers at the Den.

Cougars have also been without top poacher Raymond Beach whose goal-a-game streak came to an grinding halt at Wellington Oval on November 11 when he limped off injured.

Beach has yet to make a return, but Mallory is optimistic his key striker will be back in time to help his team-mates defend their Dudley Eve Champions title later this month.

?Beach will be back soon. But we have the numbers right now and so we don?t have to rush anybody back,? Mallory added. ?But he?ll be coming back real soon.?

Even without Beach?s contributions up front, Cougars? well oiled machine has not skipped a beat as national team trio Kwame Steede ? the Big Cats? captain ? Domico Coddington and Darius Cox and diminutive sweeper Omar Butterfield have formed the team?s backbone.

Understudies Chris Caisey and Randy Robinson have also performed lately at a level beyond their years in the heart of Cougars? midfield.

?We try to achieve our goals with whatever players we decide to go with,? Mallory said. ?When we lose a player for whatever reasons the onus is on the next player coming in to pick up the slack.?

Others, meanwhile, earning Dudley Eve qualification over the weekend were Boulevard and Somerset Trojans while last season?s beaten finalists Village moved to the brink of qualification after being held to a shock draw against newcomers Paget at While Hill Field.

Village play Boulevard tonight at BAA Field (8 p.m.) needing only take a point off their hosts in order to advance to a third straight Dudley Eve competition.

The Reds play Zebras, who are still in with a slight chance mathematically, at Bernard Park on Sunday.

And with Dudley Eve spots now nearly settled, it remains to be seen who will lead the Premier Division at the halfway stage of the season.

Only three clubs have led the Premier Division tables so far this season, Blazers, Trojans and Cougars.

Trojans, Boulevard and Village also each have games in hand over Cougars who meet Somerset in their final contest before the mid-season break.

Meanwhile, Dudley Eve spots in the First Division have now been decided.

Unbeaten league leaders Ireland Rangers, second-placed Devonshire Colts, third-placed and defending champions Wolves and Southampton Rangers all sealed their places in this month?s tournament.

This year?s double-elimination tournament will commence on Tuesday, December 9 with the finals to be held on New Year?s Day at a venue yet to be determined.