DEFENDING champions Jamaica College (JC) and Norman Manley High waltzed into the semi-finals of the Inter-Secondary School’s Sports Association (ISSA) Walker Cup Knock-out competition with 2-0 wins over St George’s College and Waterford High at the Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday.

JC, who defeated St George’s in last year’s final, continued their dominance of the contest courtesy of goals by Junior Flemmings and Shamal Thomas in the 20th and 80th minutes, respectively.

Meanwhile, Norman Manley, who had to change their jerseys to white because of a clash of colours which delayed the game for 45 minutes, joined JC, Bridgeport and Eltham High in the semi-finals after winning 2-0.

In the curtain-raiser involving two of the Manning Cup favourites, JC showed why they will be serious contenders with a dominant display over the all-island schoolboy champions.

Asani Walker, Kemar Prince, Andre Powell, Andre Messam, Flemmings and Linsworth Daley proved too hot to handle on a cold and rainy afternoon for St George’s.

The Light Blues of North Street, without National Under-20 striker Rohan Roye, never really threatened JC, despite having captain Devon Williams — with a national senior cap — in the middle, as well as Jamaica Under-20 player Carl Reid.

With both teams drawn in the same group for the Manning Cup quarter-final round, along with Bridgeport and Kingston College, yesterday’s result could go a far way in boosting the confidence of the JC players.

For St George’s, it is back to the drawing board for coach Neville Bell, but he might take comfort in the fact that his team is at its best when playing their passing game, which was hampered by the soggy conditions yesterday.