Rain continues to hamper Cup
THE Digicel/Pepsi/ISSA Manning Cup suffered from yet another rain affected week. Fortunately, it was not as badly affected as it was during the passage of the outer bands of Tropical Storm Nicole. However, because of all the rain the officials at ISSA’s competitions office will be hard pressed to find dates to fill the fixtures before the year ends.
Several teams ran away easy winners in the competition. On Tuesday, Camperdown High completely demolished Cumberland High with a 13-1 win at the Bellevue playing field. Striker Dorado Phipps was the danger man with seven goals for himself in the game. Jamaica College also ran the rout over perennial minnows St Mary’s College 7-0 on the same day.
Calabar High and Innswood also recorded huge wins in their group C encounters. The boys from Red Hills Road put nine goals past a putrid Kingston Technical. They at least found a consolation. Surprise packages Innswood High also scored nine goals in their match against Papine High. Papine were able to grab two goals, but were obviously no match for the growing sports school.
The second round, however, continued to be hampered by the rains, as several matches have been called off while in progress. Kingston College was leading Tarrant 1-0 away on Saturday when the referee was forced to blow off the match. It was the second game being called off for the Purples for the week, as they had to postpone their return game with Campion College. Eltham remains on top of the group with 21 points, eight more than KC on 13 and Jonathon Grant is third on 12 points.
A top of the table clash in group B had to be called off as well with leaders Bridgeport High and second place Tivoli Gardens High locked at 1-1 at half time. The other matches in the group had to be postponed as well.
In group D, St Andrew Technical came from behind to defeat Norman Manley, 2-1 and joined them atop the zone with 19 points. The advantage in that group is held by the surprise team Penwood High. Penwood is third in the group with 18 points but they have two matches in hand. Judging by their splendid form this season, they could well go five points ahead before the end of this round.