The Somerset Trojans completed the first half of the season firmly entrenched at the top of the tables, and in good form for the upcoming Dudley Eve Trophy, which gets under way tomorrow night.

Somerset did it in fine style yesterday at the Wellington Oval when they trounced last-placed Hamilton Parish with five superbly-taken goals that could only have given coach Larry Hunt hope for the future.

Having seen the Trojans put nine goals in their net on their last meeting, Hamilton Parish had early visions of a repeat when the visitors opened the scoring in the very first minute of play.

Lacklustre defensive work by the Parish back four allowed Dwight Basden to volley home from close a perfect free kick from full-back Brian Simons. Only seconds later goalkeeper, Detroy Smith made one of his few saves of the day when he blocked what looked to be another sure goal by Reggie Tucker near the penalty spot. Full-back Quinn Outerbridge saved him though with a goal-line clearance after the rebound had fallen to Jerry Webb.

Parish produced some of the flashes that showed so much promise for them last season as they stunned the Trojans with the equaliser only five minutes later.

Corey Hill was always a threat with his speed and skills on the ball. Irving Burgess split the Trojans' defence with a telling pass that found Hill all alone with a clear run at goal. He made no mistake as he coolly slotted the ball past Somerset's diminutive goalkeeper, Cordell Gilbert.

Hill could have put his side in the lead shortly thereafter when he beat Larry Simmons with a quick turn and came up with a free shot at goal. He raced the effort though and sent the ball just wide of the far post.

The rest of the match belonged to the Trojans as they dominated with more cohesive attacking play that only raised the question of how many goals they would get this time! And when the goals came they were put away with the ease and precision of a well-drilled team. In the 35th minute Kenny Thompson drifted a beautiful cross into the Parish six-yard box where Webb was on hand to side-foot his volley into the back of the net.

In the very last minute of the half Webb notched the best of the goals with a terrific run down the left flank that he finished off with a vicious shot that rose into the roof of the net past the hapless 'keeper.

Parish opened the second half with renewed spirits and both Hill and Burgess came close with a fine efforts that, on another day, might have found the back of the net for them. It was not to be though as both shots went narrowly wide with the 'keeper at their mercy.

The Trojans did not take long to strike again, with Thompson doing the damage.

Collecting the ball on the edge of the Parish penalty area, he neatly slipped his defender, drew Smith out of his goal and beat him too, then coolly rammed the ball into the empty goal.

Basden closed out the scoring in the 73rd minute with a well-taken header that beat the poor Smith for the last time.

Hamilton Parish: D.Smith, Q.Outerbridge (Z.Stowe, 51 mins), D.Burgess, C.Caisey, S.Gibbons, W.Burgess, K.Simons, J.Nichol, C.Hill, I.Burgess, G.Place (E.Lathan, 55 mins).

Somerset: C.Gilbert, B.Simons, L.Simmons, P.Place, T.Dickinson, A.Burchall (W.Kirkpatrick, 66 mins), R.Tucker, S.Morrisey (A.Thomas, 77 mins), J.Webb, D.Basden, K.Thompson.

Referee: Dennis Wainwright.

Men of the match: Corey Hill (Hamilton Parish); Jerry Webb (Somerset).