With the Premier Division taking a weekend off, First Division soccer takes centre stage tomorrow afternoon, with a few intriguing battles lined up.

The most crucial fixtures occur at the ends of the Island, with league leaders St. George's facing a suddenly in-form and dangerous Boulevard, who have gone from whipping-boys to giant-killers since the turn of the New Year, with one of their victims tomorrow's opponent, whom they banished from the Shield, courtesy of a 3-1 demolition job.

Winless for the first half of the season, the youthful Blazers have shown a new-found maturity for the stretch run, which victory has accompanied, setting them up as arguably the hottest side at the moment.

And coming off a midweek demolition of Hamilton Parish, Boulevard will travel to Wellington Oval confident of not merely matching St. George's, but beating them.

Conversely, coach Neil Paynter must be scratching his head as to the indifference of his troops, who have struggled mightily in recent weeks, appearing anything but the odds-on favourites they are for the lone automatic promotion spot to the premier level.

Emphasising this was last week's 0-2 loss to Prospect, a team second from bottom of the standings, and not possessing nearly the talent available among the baby blue and blue clad men of the east.

If St. George's win they will be assured of at least a play-off spot.

Meanwhile, well west, among the cut-out confines of Malabar, Ireland Rangers, while pulling for a Boulevard victory, will likely have their hands full against an unpredictable St. David's, who, like Boulevard, have performed much better during the second half following a horrendous start to their campaign.

The Islanders will though have to contend with scoring machine Jonathan Bean, Rangers' chief weapon of destruction, who has distinguished himself more than any this season.

However, individuals aside, it is a team effort that coach Mike Corday and his crew rely upon most and is where their greatest chance for success lies.

A win by Rangers combined with a St. George's defeat would put the west enders within a point of the top spot with three games remaining while all but securing at least a play-off spot.

If indeed Rangers and St. George's are successful in earning maximum points Paget -- being idle and having already played a game more than both -- would stand as the big losers, all but seeing their hopes of promotion evaporate.

Remaining affairs have Somerset Eagles hosting hapless Social Club at White Hill, while Hamilton Parish entertain Prospect at St. David's Oval.

The Commercial Division `B' match involving Wolves Pack and St. George's All-Stars has been moved to Shelly Bay II from Devonshire Rec.