DEFENDING champions St George's College survived a scare to rally for a 1-1 tie with Hydel High in their Group C ISSA/Gatorade/Digicel Manning Cup schoolboy football game at Caymanas Field yesterday.

Taffarell Crossdale opened the scoring for Hydel in the 34th minute. It came after the home side had earlier missed a fifth-minute penalty after Javeney Allen failed to capitalise after a George's goalkeeper Nico Campbell fouled Crossdale in the area.

After earning a goal kick just after the half-time break, Crossdale again missed the opportunity to give his team a two-goal advantage with a ball that went wide to the right and into the bushes behind the goal.

Andre Lewis equalised for the 'Light Blues' in the 64th minute after he collected a high pass and flicked it expertly into the net.

It was a game St George's coach Neville Bell believed his side should have won based on their level of play.

"I'm a little disappointed that we never got the three points. I really thought we played good football. We moved the ball around... but we got the point, so thank God for that," he said.

Vassell Reynolds, Hydel's assistant coach, said his team believed it was a good game despite conceding an early lead.

"Towards the latter part of the second half the Hydel team lost concentration, especially in defence, and we gave up a 'soft' goal, but it's one of those things," he said.