LEAGUE champions the Belvedere and arch-rivals the Black Dog do battle for early season Domino's Premiership supremacy tomorrow at Redlands (10.30am).

But the title-holders could be without their most influential player-boss Bobby Darch.

The Belve's talisman has been in glorious form of late, bagging back-to-back hat-tricks over the last fortnight, but he suffered a broken toe in the clash with the Kingswood last Sunday and he is rated as very doubtful ahead of tomorrow's crunch league fixture.

Darch's charges have hit form of late and go into the game on the back of three straight wins but they realise that run will have to continue to prevent a possibility of the Dog running away with the league as the Belve have already tasted defeat this term to the Cork & Bottle.

Darch is well aware his side can ill afford to slip up and they must get something out of the game as the Dog rarely drop many points over a season.

He said: "With the greatest of respect to the Dog, we will go into this fixture with great belief and confidence.

"The boys are right up for the challenge and we know what we have to do. We have improved the squad this year and at last we are finding good form. Also with injuries clearing up we will be very close to full strength."

The Belve will definitely miss Stuart Crane (holiday) while the Dog will start with virtually the same side that clinched the Shaun Taylor Charity Shield early last month at the expense of the Belve (2-0).

No doubt Darch will take heart from the league meeting between the sides a year ago - a 2-1 win at the Marsh that proved to be the springboard for his club's run to their first league title.

The Kingswood will be looking to bounce back from last week's 5-0 humbling by the Belvedere when they take on the Cork & Bottle at Redlands.

The game is the first of a double header that will see both sides meet again next Sunday at Budmouth.

Darren Long (broken wrist), Ky Capel (unavailable) and player-manager Pete Hoare (groin) have been ruled out for the Kingswood, who also have doubts concerning Karl Tewkesbury and Chris Armstrong. However, one piece of good news should see Mark Lambert return from injury and take his place at the heart of the Rodwell outfit's defence.

Meanwhile new boys the Duke of Albany will be looking to extend their unbeaten start to six games when they take on third-placed team the Market House at the Marsh in a Domino's Championship fixture (10.30 am).

The Albany are still missing several key players including injured pair Jamie Gifford (joint manager) and Lee Fraser but they do welcome back pacey full back Sean Harris.

FIXTURES and tables Domino's Premiership: Café Royal v Britannia (Redlands), Royal Oak v Cork & Bottle (Redlands), Tuatara Bar v George (Budmouth).

Domino's Championship: Finns v Golden Lion (Redlands), Wellworthy v Lugger (Budmouth), Queens v Chapelhay (Marsh), Clean Connections v Southill (Redlands), Albert v George (Marsh).

Premiership

P W D L GD Pts

Belvedere 5 4 0 1 17 12

Cafe Royal 4 4 0 0 8 12

Cork and Bottle 5 4 0 1 8 12

Black Dog 3 3 0 0 22 9

Britannia 5 3 0 2 5 9

New Inn 5 3 0 2 -1 9

Famous Old Spa 4 2 0 2 0 6

George Dorchester 5 2 0 3 -9 6

Kingswood 5 1 0 4 -10 3

Tuatara 5 1 0 4 -12 3

Alex 5 1 0 4 -19 3

Royal Oak 5 0 0 5 -9 0

Championship

George 5 5 0 0 19 15

Duke of Albany 5 4 1 0 34 13

Market House 5 4 0 1 9 12

Finns 5 2 1 2 1 7

Southill Snooker Club 4 2 1 1 -7 7

Albert 5 2 0 3 -12 6

Lugger 4 1 2 1 5 5

Wellworthys 5 1 2 2 5 5

Golden Lion 4 1 0 3 -6 3

Queens 4 1 0 3 -20 3

Clean Connections 4 0 1 3 -6 1

Chapelhay 4 0 0 4 -22 0