Benefitted from a lightning start that saw them win their first three games before falling into a two-week rut from which they emerged nearing the break with a 3-2 triumph over Devonshire Cougars, who had handed them a previous 4-0 defeat.

Appear a good bet for promotion if they can steer clear of lengthy lapses in form.

Position: First Record: 5-1-1 (league); 6-1-2 (overall) Best result: 5-2 versus Paget (October 22) DEVONSHIRE COUGARS Were predicted to run away with all manner of competition at the beginning, but have underachieved in their first year back in the lower division as emphasised by their opening 2-2 draw against perennial whipping boys Paget.

Coach Mark Jennings has been able to regroup his troops, but must now know that they will not be able to `mail in'' any return trip back to the top flight.

Position: Second Record: 4-2-1 (league); 6-2-1 (overall) Best result: 6-1 versus Social Club (December 5) ST. DAVID'S The Islanders have taken on Boulevard's role as draw specialists of the lower reaches, finding it easy to pick apart opponents in the area of the middle of the pitch, but lacking the killer blow in terms of scoring.

And with a two point differential between draws and wins it is imperative that St. David's find their scoring touch.

Return of Andrew Bascome to the coaching sidelines following suspension should serve as a boost, but clearly better execution is needed on the playing field.

Position: Third Record: 2-4-1 (league); 3-4-2 (overall) Best result: 7-0 versus Prison Officers HAMILTON PARISH A team hard to comprehend, as on the one week they are able to knock off the league leaders only to be slaughtered by a Commercial Division side the next.

Parish are the epitome of hot and cold, however, one never knows which will show up.

Position: Fourth Record: 2-3-2 (league); 4-3-3 (overall) Best result: 5-0 versus Island Rangers (November 2) SOCIAL CLUB An all-or-nothing side that can turn on the style one moment and the next appear as schoolboys just learning the game.

Have been able to display little more than flashes of brilliance and do not look like having the staying power to maintain any level of consistency in their performance in order to make them a viable promotion threat.

Position: Fifth Record: 3-0-4 (league); 4-1-5 (overall) Best result: 4-0 versus BAA (December 3) BAA Oh! How long ago it seems that the Green Knights were battling it out against the likes of Vasco, Dandy Town, North Village, et al.

Now, just a season removed from the First Division, they find themselves unable to compete with those in the Second Division and find themselves floundering near the bottom. They were even eliminated from the FA Cup in the elimination round...by a Commercial Division side.

"Come back Johnny (Adams)!'' Position: Sixth Record: 2-2-3 (league); 3-2-4 (overall) Best result: 6-0 versus Paget (October 29) PROSPECT The first half was not kind to the men in blue as they have found it difficult to arrest anybody, especially with constantly changing personnel due to work commitments.

Have often shown heart, but there remains no substitute for fitness and skills, two things they have little of, thus they can expect to remain in the area of the dungeon in '96.

Position: Seventh Record: 2-2-3 (league); 3-2-5 (overall) Best result: 4-0 versus KPMG (October 22) PAGET Monumental things were expected of Paget once it was revealed that they had recruited the likes of Sammy Maybury and Terrence Christopher from Somerset Eagles and Dale Russell, formerly of Devonshire Cougars. However, since an opening draw with Cougars, Paget have fallen into old habits, losing and doing so on a consistent basis.

If the saying "there's no hope for the hopeless'' bears merit, then picture Paget next to the slogan.

Position: Eighth Record: 0-2-5 (league); 0-2-6 (overall) Best result: 2-2 versus Devonshire Cougars (October 8)