UNLIKE any other rivalry on the island, there's something extra special about the west end derby pitting Somerset Trojans against neighbouring rivals Somerset Eagles.

Over the years, this unique derby has traditionally been contested in a fierce yet spirited nature, and has seemingly brought out the best of those competing on the pitch for bragging rights in the west - if only for one match.

Sunday shouldn't be any different. In fact, it promises to be even more intriguing now that relegation has been added to the equation. Eagles have managed to get the better of their more illustrious rivals on the previous two occasions. Last season in the FA Cup (4-3) and more recently (3-1) at White Hill Field in December.

But not only does the derby seem to captivate the players themselves, it also transcends beyond the bleachers where fans - lured into the hype - come out in throngs to support either the blue and gold of Eagles or the revered red and black of Trojans.

So what is it that makes this derby between these two perennial rivals click?

"It's definitely a game that both clubs look forward to. It's special simply because most of the players have grown up together. They also know one another well and enjoy playing against each other. They know that after the game whoever the winner may be has the stage to run their mouth for the remainder of the season," Somerset Bridge Recreation Club president Bray Saltus told The Mid-Ocean Sports this week.

The Bridge executive is also fully wary of what's at stake come Sunday.

"At the moment we (Eagles) are on 12 points, PHC on 11 and Devonshire Colts 13. Our last two matches are against Somerset (Sunday) and Boulevard - and Boulevard seem to be the monkey on our back," he noted.

Eagles and Trojans will also do battle next weekend in the FA Cup at Somerset Cricket Club, the venue for this weekend's derby.

Despite their lowly position in the tables, Saltus reckons his club still have much to play for with Eagles remaining in the hunt for the FA Cup and Friendship Trophy. But for the moment, all eyes are focussed on survival among the fittest in the Premier Division.

"Out of all the teams in the league, we really enjoy playing against Trojans," added Saltus. "Primarily because of the derby, but the most important thing for us now is survival. So Sunday coming is vital - we need to come away with three points."

Saltus also exposed his trump cards in former Trojans Duval Binns and 'keeper Winslow Williams - two players who certainly know a thing or two when it comes around to the derby. Eagles will also be pinning their hopes on valuable contributions from livewire Rodre (Piper) Wilson and the ever gifted, yet underrated Lamaul Crofton.

"Going into this match we have Duval Binns and Winslow Williams who have both come in late in the season to strengthen our team,"

But while Saltus admits that the derby between Eagles and Trojans is unique, he also acknowledged another interesting rivalry that has developed over the years involving his club.

"We had a few good derbys against North Village back in the 80's when Shaun Goater played his last season there," he recalled.

"I remember one entertaining match against Village in which someone broke the goalpost down at BAA Field when we had the likes of Kenny Thompson and crew playing for us."

Eagles also got the better of Village earlier in the season, ousting last year's Friendship finalists out of this season's competition with a 4-2 drubbing at St. John's Field. However, last Sunday, Village returned the favour, handing their western opponents a 6-2 hammering on their home turf.

Also fully aware of the magnitude of Sunday's all-important clash is Trojan coach Mark Trott, who unlike Saltus, preferred to keep his cards close to his chest and allow his players do the talking on the pitch.