While not exactly the game of the century -- or even the past month for that matter -- yesterday's scoreless draw between Boulevard and North Village in the feature Coca-Cola First Division match did produce more than a few entertaining moments for the die-hard crowd that braved the elements to witness it.

Despite a constant drizzle -- usually a goalkeeper's nightmare -- the men between the `sticks' shone bright under the darkened skies.

Carlyle Crockwell of Village and Boulevard's Lynn Tucker were equally superb in their efforts to hold opponents at bay and in the end both were rewarded with a clean sheet.

The Red Devils fielded three `imports' in a revamped starting line-up. College students Maceo Dill, Damon Wade and Irving Romaine were all flown to Bermuda specially for the match.

A solitary point was the return for the investment, but this was enough to maintain the Red Devils in a position atop the standings for at least another week.

Wade was the first to show his calibre when he embarked on a sprawling run on the left, deftly beating full-back Dean Boyles before sending in a low drive from an acute angle that Tucker collected on his second attempt.

A similar scenario unfolded moments later having Elliott Jennings in the attacking role being denied by the alert 'keeper.

Not to be outdone the Blazers mounted a resurgence of their own, testing Crockwell on a set-piece in the 16th minute.

From the edge of the semi-circle, Shivaughn Smith tapped the ball to captain Dwight Warren for him to unleash a left-foot drive that appeared earmarked for the back of the net.

Crockwell, though, had other ideas, sprawling low to his left and amazingly managing to get a hand to the ball, batting it up off the underside of the crossbar and allowing his defence to clear.

If that failed to get the home crowd off their feet, another brilliant bit of work by the Bermuda number two certainly did as he showed tremendous reflexes in denying Neil Robinson, free on a breakaway, from point-blank range.

The slick surface suited both sides' short-passing games. For the Blazers, midfielder Clinton Caisey and Warren thrived in their work together on the left, but found the Village defensive wall of Kentoine Jennings, Arthur Simons, Romaine and Derek Bell uncompromising.

Village, meanwhile, were able to create the more definitive openings to score, but were either baffled by Tucker or their own inadequacies in finishing.

Taking the field for the second half Village introduced Phillip Clarke to the attack in place of an ailing Dill and the burly striker almost rewarded the move in the 74th minute.

Clarke barrelled his way deep into enemy territory, drawing Tucker away from goal before directing his shot at goal past the stranded 'keeper only to watch in agony as a covering Boyles was able to clear off the line.

Not nearly as eventful as the first half, play gradually deteriorated with Boulevard's last chance wasted by Caisey, who fired in the side-netting from eight yards after Robinson had done the preliminary work on the right before feeding the former the perfect pass.

Village continue to head the standings by virtue of superior goal difference ahead of Boulevard and Dandy Town, who drew 1-1 with PHC on Saturday night.

All have nine points from six matches.

North Village: L.Tucker; A.Caisey, W.Richardson, G.Trott, D.Boyles; C.Caisey, S.Smith, N.Robinson; D.Warren, K.Hill, S.Wade (V.Symonds, 81 mins).

Boulevard: C.Crockwell; Ken.Jennings, D.Bell, I.Romaine, A.Simons; R.Edness, Kev.Jennings, A.Bascome (E.Simmons, 74 mins); D.Wade, E.Jennings, M.Dill (P.Clarke, 45 mins).

Referee: Roddy Burchall.

Men of the match: Carlyle Crockwell (North Village); Lynn Tucker (Boulevard).

UNDER CONTROL -- North Village's Kevin Jennings shields the ball away from Boulevard dangerman Kenny Hill during yesterday's scoreless draw.