for major honours in the 1993-94 season.

That may still be the case, but Dandy Town's triumph in the Dudley Eve has at least helped to balance things out now that Town and North Village have shown Boulevard can be beaten.

The following mid-term report takes a look at the prospects of the 10 First Division teams for the second half of the season which starts this weekend.

Boulevard have already claimed the Martonmere Cup from Somerset and now have their sights on the Trojans' league crown. But as results have shown in the first half of the season -- which included a shock 3-0 for PHC over Boulevard in the Friendship -- results have not always been predictable.

Already St. David's look set for the drop but who will join them is anybody's guess, with Vasco and Southampton looming near the bottom .

BOULEVARD Boulevard ended 1993 as an injury riddled outfit, struggling to find enough able bodies to make up an eleven man squad.

After entering the Dudley Eve Trophy competition as solid favourites to lift the title they failed to reach the final, having been eliminated at the semifinal stage and left to regroup for the season's second half.

This was a far cry from early on when they looked like `world beaters' blazing to triumphs in the Charity and Martonmere Cups and heading the league standings with seven victories from nine matches, against one loss and a draw.

The only other blemish on their record was a defeat at the hands of PHC in the Friendship Trophy.

Injuries started in pre-season, with the loss of Albert Smith to an ankle injury that threatens his career and continued as defenders Leroy Stevens, Wayne Richardson, Albert Caisey and Vernon Eve all were forced out for extended periods.

Others to feel the crunch have been Carlos Pearman, Kenny Hill and Clinton Caisey...to name a few.

Not many teams could survive such a multitude of losses, which is a tribute to the team's depth as well as the ability of coach Gary Mallory to hold his men together in the face of adversity, not only enduring, but thriving under adverse conditions.

With time to rest, and hopefully heal, the Blazers can be expected to remain at or near the top, but, as always, consistency in performance will be the key to any success enjoyed.

Leading scorer: Kenny Hill (7).

Outstanding players: Dwight Warren, Dean Boyles, Clinton Caisey.

Biggest win: 3-0 over St. David's.

NORTH VILLAGE With weary legs and nothing to show for a gruelling Dudley Eve competition, North Village will resume their bid for a first league title in 14 seasons.

Some of Village's college students may be still here when the team opens its second half of the season against PHC but after that they will rely mostly on the crop of players who helped chart them into second place in the league standings, just two points behind leaders Boulevard.

Village started off the Dudley Eve tournament by hammering Devonshire Colts 4-1, but that high level performance was not repeated as they lost to Dandy Town three times, though there was an impressive 2-0 win over Boulevard in the semifinal.

There is plenty of depth in the Village squad with former Hotels captain Derek Bell adding some experience to their defence. They are waiting now for Ricky Hill to show his goal scoring pedigree.

College student Damon Wade quickly put himself amongst the leading scorers in the First Division with four goals in six matches, but youngster Kevin Jennings has been their best player so far this season with some sterling performances.

Leading scorers: Kevin Jennings, Damon Wade (both 4), Sean Dill, Elliott Jennings (both 3).

Outstanding players: Kevin Jennings, Kentoine Jennings.

Best wins: 4-1 over PHC (league), Dev. Colts (Dudley Eve).

DANDY TOWN Having had time to savour the taste of their first Dudley Eve Trophy since 1986, come Sunday Dandy Town will be thrust back into the thick of the First Division title race.

The first half was marked by streaks, as they enjoyed a splendid run to start the season, before an extended lull prior to the Christmas break almost removed them from contention for a Dudley Eve spot.

Nevertheless, they were able to pick themselves up at the crucial moment despite being without the services of head coach Mark Trott, who was away on vacation.

Former first string goalkeeper Anthony Manders performed admirably as acting coach and there have been loud rumblings about making his appointment permanent.

Indeed, Town appeared to have undergone a transformation as they destroyed all-comers on their way to the title, exhibiting style and grace not seen since the days of the vaunted `Youth Explosion' at St. John's Road.

Many players remain from that era, with the likes of Wayne Campbell, Troy Durham, Walter Musson and Kris Martin enjoying somewhat of a rebirth after wallowing in mediocrity the past few years.

Nothing but good things seem to loom on the horizon for the Hornets, as they remain in contention for all of the major titles still on offer.

However, they will have to avoid complacency and need only to look back at the latter part of 1993 to witness the depths from which they have risen.

Leading scorer: Carlos Smith (8).

Outstanding players: Kris Martin, Paul Cann, Walter Musson.

Biggest win: 3-1 versus North Village, Dudley Eve Trophy final (first leg).

DEVONSHIRE COLTS If it is any consolation in being the first team to be eliminated from the Dudley Eve it is that Colts at least had time to regroup for what will be a challenging second half of the season.

Colts have not been good at winning finals of late and they were never expected to get far in the Dudley Eve where they lost their first match 4-1 to North Village and the second 2-1 to Boulevard.

Still, this is a team that can never be counted out! They are fourth in the league and are also still in the FA Cup so there is plenty left to play for.

The problem for Colts this season has been injuries with fullback Keenan Burchall expected to be sidelined for a long period because of knee troubles.

He recently travelled overseas to have the knee checked.

The good news is Colts could soon have striker Craig Smith back following a knee injury while fullback Anthony Wilson, who missed the first half of the season because of a knee injury, could also soon be pushing for a first team place.

The Colts defence has shown clear signs of vulnerability this season while up front the likes of captain Ellington Weldon, Quincy Aberdeen, Keishon Smith and Harrison Trott have been relied on for goals.

Colts' title aspirations will depend on how they do against Boulevard in their opening match of the second half. Presently they trail leaders Boulevard by four points.

Leading scorers: Ellington Weldon (7), Mark Ray (5), Quincy Aberdeen, Craig Smith (both 4).

Outstanding players: Leonard Hypolite, Mark Ray.

Biggest win: 3-0 over St. David's, league.

ST. GEORGE'S One would expect a team with just four goals from nine matches to be lost in the throes on the relegation battle.

Not so in the case of St. George's, who stand fifth at the midway point, having maximised their scores with four 1-0 triumphs included on their league record.

Defence has been the name of the game. Led by Bermuda international centre-back Neil Paynter the east enders have more than held their own after struggling for much of the 1992-93 season, barely avoiding relegation.

Still there are problems, as highlighted by the lack of scoring punch that has long been an Achilles heel for Greg (Brutus) Foggo's men.

Several combinations have been tried to no avail and this is something that, unless rectified, will continue to prevent them from rising any further than the middle of the pack.

A late first half victory over Dandy Town emphasised their quality and should further boost the St. George's spirit heading into the second half after a restful break over the Christmas holidays.

Their first three league matches have them facing some of the division's weaker outfits in Southampton, PHC and St. David's and could provide the ideal springboard to further success.

Leading scorers: Dwayne Richardson, Melvin Simmons (both 2).

Outstanding player: Neil Paynter.

Biggest win: 1-0 versus Dandy Town.

SOMERSET How quickly things can change! A year ago the Royal Gazette's mid-term report had a headline that read: "Somerset have that all-conquering look'' after the Trojans led the First Division by two points at the Christmas break.

Now the west enders, after a disappointing first half of the season, are hoping 1994 starts off on a better note as they go in search of the only two trophies they can possibly win this season -- the Friendship and the league.

The Trojans are back in action tonight against St. George's in the Friendship and then take on Dandy Town on Sunday in the league as they attempt to close the six-point gap between themsevels and leaders Boulevard. Already Somerset have lost the Martonmere Cup and Dudley Eve after some dismal performances in the first half which also included elimination from the FA Cup.

Coach Larry Hunt is under no illusion as to the task awaiting his team in the second half of the season. Initially the loss of Dennis Brown to Vasco did not appear to hurt the team much as they won three of their first four matches in the league.

However, lately the Somerset defence has clearly lacked an authoritative figure while their attack has been weakened by the absence of Jerry Webb and the failure of the likes of Rodney Bascome and Dwight Basden to live up to expectations. Last year they each had eight goals but this time they have scored just six between them.

Leading scorers: Rodney Bascome (5), Lamaul Crofton (4).

Outstanding players: Andrew Rahman, Lamaul Crofton.

Biggest win: 4-1 over St. David's, league.

PHC To say that this year has been un-Zebra like would be a gross understatement.

Having won all the major trophies the Island has to offer, the `strike force' nickname does not seem to fit them this year as a drastic change of fortunes have seen them witness the reverse side of the equation, where they are the whipping boys and recipients of other teams' hostilities.

Results have been mediocre as their seventh place position suggests; just three wins in nine league matches against four defeats and two draws and the true picture is revealed.

A stunning 3-0 massacre of Boulevard in a recent Friendship Trophy encounter stands out as their best, and most gratifying result, but survival remains the ultimate goal.

In that regard and taking in the rich history of the Warwick club, one might take heed in the words of actor Wesley Snipes when he says: "always bet on black (and white)''.

Late 1993 has also thus far been a test for the band of supporters, who would normally go around proudly proclaiming PHC as their team, one having great tradition and pride... it still does.

And a more closer look sees an organisation banking on the development of youth. Not just for the present, but for many years to come when once again they may ride the crest as champions.

Tokia Russell, Blenn Bean, Raynell Lightbourne, Dave Wolffe have all been shown to have loads of natural talent and may yet turn out to be veritable "diamonds in the rough''.

A Martonmere Cup place may be all PHC can hope for this year, but look for the Zebras to rise again.

Leading scorers: Sheridan Ming (5), Dave Wolffe (4).

Outstanding players: Mike Dill, Tokia Russell, Sammy Swan.

Biggest win: 3-0 v Boulevard, Friendship Trophy.

VASCO This was supposed to be the year Danny Seymour would lead Vasco back to respectability in the First Division and after three matches they appeared to have it within their grasp.

Ideally poised atop the standings, after defeating North Village and St.

David's and battling Devonshire Colts to a standstill with only 10 men, Vasco had arrived with a bang.

However, that initial explosion seemed to empty the chamber and they have fired mostly blanks since, losing four of five league matches and plummeting to eight place.

The only wins in that span came during the Friendship Trophy and FA Cup against minnows St. David's and Commercial outfit Robin Hood.

Ironically, the side garnered it's best result after the coach was gone, that a 7-0 drubbing of St. David's in the aforementioned Friendship game.

Vasco have talent. They do have name players. But aside from striker Ricky Mallory, midfielder Karl Roberts and goalkeeper Keenan Tucker, most are past their prime.

The capture of Dennis Brown from Somerset was originally hailed as a major coup, however, in the few matches he played the former Bermuda international appeared overweight and sluggish, a mere shell of his former self, and has faded altogether from view in recent weeks.

Much soul searching and hard work -- by players and coaches -- will be needed if they are to remain afloat and among the top flight.

Leading scorers: Voorhees Astwood, Ricky Mallory, Irving Burgess (all 4).

Outstanding players: Ricky Mallory, Keenan Tucker, Karl Roberts.

Biggest win: 7-0 versus St. David's, Friendship Trophy.

SOUTHAMPTON It might be too early to talk about relegation but the topic has probably come up during the first half of the season which ended with a disappointing loss to Devonshire Cougars in the last round of the FA Cup.

By the same token their 2-1 away win over Dandy Town in early November was equally surprising as it shows that last year's promoted team can certainly hold their own against any team when they are playing well. The problem is good performances have been few and far between in their first season back in the First Division.

Rangers are deep in the relegation danger zone, but it is nothing that cannot be put right by a few good results early in the second half of the season.

That Dandy Town win is Rangers' only success so far while their five goals in nine league games is the second worst goals tally by any team in the first Division, with last-placed St. David's even having scored more goals.

Rangers' young captain Donnie Charles suffered a bruised hip in the team's last outing but should be fit to return to the team to help in their cause.

Goalkeeper Randy Darrell and creative midfielder Olin Jones both missed the team's last match. The pair, plus Ryan Belboda in defence and Kenny Burt in attack gives the team much needed experience in vital areas.

The sending off of Shawn Simons, the team's best player, in the last match means that Rangers will be missing a key man in attack for their next three games.

Leading scorer: Shawn Simons (2).

Outstanding players: Shawn Simons, Olin Jones.

Biggest win: 2-1 over Dandy Town, league.

ST. DAVID'S It is seldom that teams at the bottom of the First Division standings at Christmas improve sufficiently in the second half of the season to escape relegation.

A year ago Hamilton Parish were tied on points with St. George's at the bottom but picked up just one point in the second half and ended the season eight points adrift of St. David's.

Even before the season started St. David's, who were to be in the Second Division, resigned themselves to another season of struggling, having lost a number of first-team players.

Their fate already seems to be sealed as they are already five points behind the nearest team and without a win so far. Still, they continue to battle on and that same fighting spirit should be evident when the league campaign resumes, though for how long is the $64,000 question.

Saving face in the league is all the Islanders have left, having already been eliminated from the Friendship (7-0 to Vasco) and just recently in the FA Cup when they became the first First Division team to score at a goal at Wellington Oval but still went down 2-1 after leading at the half.

Leading scorers: Jerry Laws, James Pace, Garic Swainson (all 2).

Outstanding players: Chuck Waldron, Maxwell Dill.

Biggest win: None.

SECOND DIVISION One team stands in the way of Devonshire Cougars' bid for a Second Division and Shield double... Devonshire Cougars.

Brian (Bulla) Anderson, in his first assignment as a head coach has so far managed to get the most out of his charges, who have been nothing short of brilliant, as far as Second Division teams go.

Cougars have been on a season long tear, having not lost a game, and remaining as contenders for all available competitions, including the FA Cup and currently lead the league standings by a comfortable three point margin at the half-way stage.

Wolves were the only side to take a point from the rampant Cougars, but no others have come close to duplicating that feat.

The off-season addition of players such as Shawn Smith, Stephen Coddington and Wali Salaam to a nucleus already employing the services of goal-poacher Devon Brangman and veterans Dale Russell and Dwayne Bean has created a tonic for success and left all others searching for an antidote.

One of those in the hunt is BAA, who have surprised many by their position in second place.

The Green Knights may not be as fearsome as in ancient times, when they commanded respect throughout the land, but they have shown themselves to be more than capable and determined in their approach to the game.

A 4-0 win over a highly fancied Wolves outfit in the first game of the season created a positive mood from the start and despite a few minor `hiccups' along the way remain firmly focussed on the goal of promotion.

Enigma is probably the best word to describe Wolves, who have been their own worst enemy! One week they can compete with the league's elite and the next fall flat on their face against inferior opposition.

Coach Jack Castle can expect a noticeable increase in the number of grey hair follicles adorning his crown in dealing with this moody bunch, containing much talent, but of questionable attitude and desire.

The aforementioned trio appear to be the genuine candidates for top honours, with the two top finishers gaining access to the First Division.

Next come the pretenders, bridesmaids, alter boys, `also rans' -- get the picture -- who make a habit in showing early promise, only to fade miserably during the second half.

Prospect, Somerset Eagles and Social Club fall into this category of teams lacking staying power -- Hamilton Parish do not have a chance, but escape this description because they proved themselves by staying on in the First Division for two years.

At the bottom of the barrel is contained those that begin the year knowing they do not have a chance and week after week reaffirm that fact.

They can be described as sludge, residue, `barely having a pulse' in other words Paget and Port Royal.

This pair is good for perhaps one thing...opposing teams' goal average.

There are none that would not mind playing either on any given week, for they make everyone feel -- and look -- good.

Leading scorers: Marlon Lindsay (12), Nathan Webb (9), Terrence Christopher, Everett Wellman, Robert Goodchild (8).

SETTING THE PACE -- Boulevard, shown after their FA Cup triumph last year, will be looking for more silverware in the coming months.

KEY MEN -- Vasco will rely heavily on the experience of Donovan Livingston (left) and Paul Towlson to guide them clear of the relegation zone.