With the re-emergence of Boulevard and Somerset Trojans and the cup pedigree of North Village and Devonshire Cougars, this year’s Premier’s Dudley Eve Cup promises to be an exciting one.

Boulevard have undoubtedly proven to be the surprise team so far this season. They lead the Premier Division table at the half-way stage by six points, and now find themselves among the favourites to win a first Dudley Eve title since 1991-92 when they defeated Somerset 3-2 on aggregate.

“I thought the draw was fair and every competition we go into we go into win. But we are also basically going to use this competition to showcase our young talent and our college kids,” commented Blazers skipper Shaki Crockwell yesterday.

“We look to win every competition we enter and so there’s really no need to stress the issue.”

Blazers have been pitted against Somerset Trojans in their opening Dudley Eve match next Friday night at Somerset Cricket Club.

The league leaders are fresh off a 2-1 win over Trojans on Wednesday night in the West End.

“That game was a different one all together from next week’s one,” Crockwell said. “But we are confident like every other team is of going all the way and winning the competition. And if we can continue playing the way we have been all season then I think we will be alright.”

Trojans, meanwhile, will be gunning for a first Dudley Eve title in 12 years.

Traditionally the Dudley Eve has not been one of Trojans’ better competitions, the West Enders’ first title arriving in 1992-93 after losing in six straight finals.

Somerset are also the only team to lose in the final, against PHC in 1981-82, by the toss of a coin after three matches failed to produce a winner.

“There’s definitely not going to be any easy matches for us, and so we will have to come prepared to play,” commented Trojans coach Dennis Brown.

“In my playing days we always managed to get to the final where I think we lost about four or five. But then again that also showed the consistency of the team in those days. We were always there but just unfortunate to lose in the final.

“But when we go out onto the pitch we try to win every game. And this tournament is not going to be any different because we are going into it with the intention of winning.”

Trojans’ ranks will also be bolstered by an influx of returning college students.

Defending Dudley Eve champions Devonshire Cougars will be up to the task, according to assistant coach Gary Mallory.

“We’re going to prepare ourselves and then go out there and do what it is we have to do,” Mallory said.

Cougars lock horns with cross-town rivals North Village next Tuesday night at the Den in what is a repeat of last year’s final which Cougars won on penalties at Wellington Oval.

“We are the defending champions and so we are going to prepare ourselves for the challenge and may the best team win,” Mallory added.

“Enough respect to Village because they have a point to prove, but so do we. And we intend to put our best foot forward and our strongest 11 possible out at all times.”

Cougars and Village will also use the competition to showcase some of their up and coming talent.

“We should have college kids coming back which will give us a chance to utilise them and strengthen our ranks,” said North Village president Shervin Dill.

“Going into the competition we are looking obviously to do our best. And having been runners-up last year and not losing a game until the final on penalty kicks, we are looking do a bit better this year.”

Village’s last Dudley Eve title arrived in 2000-01 when they defeated Devonshire Colts 6-3 in the then two-legged final.

This year’s First Division Premier’s Dudley Eve Cup will be contested between cup holders Wolves, Ireland Rangers, Southampton Rangers and inaugural Dudley Eve Trophy winners Devonshire Colts.

Southampton Rangers take on Devonshire Colts next Tuesday night at the Den, while Ireland Rangers and Wolves lock horns next week Friday night at Somerset Cricket Club.

The finals of this year’s competition will be held at White Hill Field on New Year’s Day.