Reigning champions Jamaica College had their progress halted by bad weather conditions, as they were well on their way to a second-consecutive victory in the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup on Friday.
Giovanni Taylor’s hat-trick had the “Dark Blues” 3-0 up against Cumberland High when the game was called off after 25 minutes due to rain and lightning. The fixture will be competed on a date to be decided.
That postponement resulted in Kingston Technical provisionally assuming pole position in Group B on six points, following their 4-0 beating of Meadowbrook High, who are current fifth on a point.
Meanwhile, third-placed Spanish Town High (two points) and fourth-placed Tivoli High (one point), played out a 2-2 stalemate in the other group b contest.
Despite the slight setback where their schedule is concerned, Jamaica College’s assistant coach Raymond “Stampie” Watson, pointed out that they remain on course to achieving their objective.
“We are getting there. So far, we are looking positive, and the players are enjoying themselves, but this is the first round, and we are looking to be in it at the backend of the season where title contention is concerned so we continue to put in the work,” Watson told Sportsmax.tv.
Elsewhere in Group E, St Catherine High made it two-in-two with a 10-0 blanking of St Mary’s College, while last year’s semi-finalist Mona High, also secured a second win on the trot, with a 5-0 whipping of Innswood High.
Fourth-placed Norman Manley got their first points on the board, as they clipped Holy Trinity High 1-0.
Friday's results
Group B
Jamaica College 3, Cumberland 0 (Game called off due to inclement weather)
Tivoli High 2, Spanish Town 2
Kingston Technical 4, Meadowbrook 0
Group E
St Catherine 10, St Mary’s College 0
Mona High 5, Innswood High 0
Holy Trinity 0, Norman Manley 1
Saturday’s games
Group A
Penwood High vs Charlie Smith @ Maverley Football Field
Hydel High vs Camperdown @ Royal Lakes
Kingston College vs Calabar @ Stadium East
Group D
Clan Carthy vs STATHS @ Alpha Academy
Cedar Grove Academy vs Bridgeport @ Cedar Grove Academy
Excelsior High vs Tarrant @ Excelsior
Group F
Ardenne High vs Waterford @ Ardenne
Campion College vs St George’s College @ Campion College
Pembroke Hall vs Jose Marti @ Pembroke Hall
Group G
Donald Quarrie vs Ascot High @ Harbour View Mini Stadium
St Jago vs Wolmer’s Boys @ St Jago
Vauxhall High vs Papine High @ Vauxhall High
*All games are scheduled for 3:30pm.
Sherdon Cowan is a five-time award-winning journalist with 10 years' experience covering sports.