THE Manning and daCosta cups kicked off last Saturday with triple champions St George’s College and rural champions Rusea’s High begin their respective campaigns.

Defending champions St George’s had to rely on a late strike from Romario Jones in order to salvage their first point of the season.

The Jeffrey Maxwell-coached Hydel High almost pulled off an upset after Patrick Okonkwo put them ahead in the 24th minute and goalkeeper Romaine Harrison kept them in the match on several occasions, but they were denied all three points by Jones’ strike.

Meanwhile, Group E was filled with goals as Trench Town High and Spanish Town High both gained one point in an exciting six-goal affair.

There were four more goals in Group E, however, as Holy Trinity produced a dominant display in their 4-0 mauling of St Catherine High.

In the daCosta Cup action, Herbert Morrison was welcomed back after last year’s absence with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of champions Rusea’s High. It was a pretty low-key first half and the scoring was opened in the 69th minute by Sewayne Stewart, who capitalised on a mistake from the Herbert Morrison goalkeeper.

Substitute Tevon Brown later added the second to secure the Rusea’s win even after an early penalty miss by the captain of Herbert Morrison. This puts Rusea’s atop Group B in the early stages.