11/6/2009 12:14:00 PM Rams and Zebras going for seventh title
* Photo by Ras Mykkal. Ralph Bean
North Village Rams and PHC Zebras will attempt to become the first club to carve their name on the Dudley Eve Trophy for an unprecedented seventh time at the National Sports Centre next Wednesday.
Rams defeated Devonshire Cougars 2-0 while Zebras edged last year's winners Dandy Town Hornets 2-1 earlier this week in the semi-finals to set up only the second finals meeting between these two illustrious clubs in the competition's 30 -year history.
The last time Rams and Zebras faced off in the Dudley Eve final was during the 1984/85 season, which the former won 3-2 on aggregate.
Overall the two 'old rivals' have met eight times in a cup final with Rams running out victors on six of those occasions.
It's a remarkable winning percentage Rams captain Ralph Bean Jr. and his teammates hope to increase next week.
He said: "Obviously we will try to go out there and get a victory. It's always good to win an early piece of silverware and I think it would be good for Village to win next week because we didn't win any silverware last season."
The last time Rams played Zebras in a cup final at the National Sports Centre was during the 2007/08 Friendship Trophy final, which they won 7-3 in a high scoring affair.
Zebras, however, returned the favour a few months later when they blasted Rams 7-1 in the Charity Cup.
But Bean prefers not to let his mind linger on that game. He's determined to put the past behind him and move on.
He said: "To worry about that game wouldn't make any sense. Rather than look back we are looking forward to trying to win a first piece of silverware for the season.
"We know PHC's style of play and they know our style and so it's a matter of whoever imposes their style the best and stops the other from playing."
Bean believes the wider pitch at the sports centre could play to either team's advantage.
He added: "It's a fast pitch and sometimes that doesn't necessarily work to the advantage of a passing team like ours."
Rams last lifted the Dudley Eve Trophy in December 2007 when they thumped Devonshire Cougars 4-1 in the final.
Meanwhile, next week will mark Zebras' second trip to the carpet in seven months. And just like they did last April by winning the Friendship Trophy, they intend not to leave empty handed.
"We are hungry for success - that's why we play," PHC captain Chris Furbert Jr. declared. "We want to win another
trophy and on the day we are going to give it our all and see what happens."
Rams and Zebras drew 1-1 in the league last weekend and Furbert is bracing for what he anticipates will be another close battle between the two sides.
He said: "We know Village pretty well. They are a very good team. Village pass the ball around and move off the ball very well.
"But we just want to get out there and play to our full potential and if the game is anything like last week's then that will be good for the fans.
"It's always nice to reach a final and we are confident in the players we have. Everybody has worked really hard."
The last time Zebras appeared in a Dudley Eve final was in 2001 when they lost 7-1 on aggregate to Wolves before the competition's format was revised.
Set to miss next week's cup final is Zebras coach Kyle Lightbourne who was sent off during this week's semi- final win against Hornets for time wasting.
Furbert, though, insists his team can cope in the absence of their inspirational leader on the bench.
He said: "Will it be a distraction, I don't think so. I think Kyle has enough influence on the team in training and so we should be okay on the day."
