FORMER champions Excelsior High School rebounded from their surprise defeat against Greater Portmore High last Friday by scoring a hard-fought come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Penwood in their Zone A ISSA/Digicel/Gatorade Manning Cup match at Mountain View Avenue yesterday.

The visitors took the lead twice, but a brace from Brian Richards and a Colorado Murray penalty earned the Leebert Halliman-coached Excelsior boys full points.

Excelsior, with nine points from four games, share top spot in the group with Norman Manley High who, through goals from Jamar Green and Rohan Foster, defeated Campion College, 2-1, in the group’s other game.

In Zone D, Innswood High joined leaders Bridgeport High on 10 points and continue to lead third-placed Calabar by two points after their 2-0 win over Haile Selassie High, thanks to strikes from Tavoy Morgan and Shawn Beckford.

Calabar, meanwhile, defeated Tivoli Gardens High, 1-0, on a Leon McLean 22nd-minute own-goal in the other game in the group at Edward Seaga Complex.

In an uninspiring encounter, the visitors went ahead when McLean turned the ball into his own goal midway the first-half. Calabar had two great chances to increase their lead before the break and were denied a penalty when their striker was pulled down inside the area afte being sent through on goal.

After the interval, Tivoli looked a much better team but failed to threaten the Calabar defence. They nearly had an equaliser in the 73rd minute when Jevhorn Saulas’ strike from 25 yards looked destined for the goal, but goalkeeper Richard Chambers was equal to the task and pulled off a brilliant save to keep his team ahead.

In Zone F of the competition, Donald Quarrie High with goals from Michael Lutas and Bebeto Green saw off St Andrew College, 2-1, whil , the group’s other game between Kingston Technical and Oberlin High ended 0-0.

In Zone G, Kingston College (KC) joined the unbeaten Charlie Smith on 12 points and top of the table — although they have played a game more — after Owen Stone netted a double and Tevin Brown the other in a 3-0 spanking of Ardenne High at Cloverly Park.

In the other Zone G match, Pembroke Hall defeated Meadowbrook, 3-2, on goals from Orie Bhullie, Stephen Service and Kevin Simpson for their first win of the season. The defeat was Meadowbrook’s fifth in five matches.

The competition continue this afternoon. In Zone B, Mona High entertain Jamaica College (JC) and Waterford host St Jago High.

In Zone C, Denham Town play Hydel High at home, Clan Carthy host defending champions St George’s College and Cumberland High take on Dunoon Technical.

In the lone Zone D match, leaders Bridgeport play away to St Mary’s College, while in Zone E, Ascot Hig face Holy Trinity High and Jonathan Grant meet Trench Town High.