INNSWOOD High secured the last remaining spot for the second stage of the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/LIME Manning Cup competition after Tuesday’s ruling by the governing body.

ISSA issued a release stating that Innswood were awarded three points and credited with three goals following an unfulfilled fixture at Chedwin Park between the St Catherine-based school and Group G rivals Trench Town High on October 12.

The game was not played because both teams turned up at the venue in similar colour jerseys. The Jamaica Observer understands that for last month’s opening clash between the institutions, the visitors Innswood wore an alternate strip to prevent a clash.

When Trench Town travelled to Chedwin Park in last Saturday’s return game, however, they were not outfitted with the alternate gear that an away team needs in the event of a colour clash.

ISSA’s Competitions Officer George Forbes told the Observer that “the onus was on Trench Town to have done their due diligence to find out” if they required an alternate gear for that particular visit.

The release from the schools’ body added: “ISSA had two colour clash gear at the office that could have been loaned to Trench Town High.”

Based on the ruling, Innswood took second place in Group G with 21 points, three clear of third-placed Trench Town. Both finished behind Holy Trinity High (28 points).

The other teams to advance to the second group stage of the Manning Cup are Hydel High, Calabar High and Ascot High from Group A, Excelsior High and Norman Manley High from Group B, Wolmer’s Boys and Denham Town from Group C, St George’s College, Charlie Smith High and Camperdown High from Group D, Jamaica College and Bridgeport High from Group E and Spanish Town High and Kingston College from Group F.

The second round is scheduled to commence on October 25.

The eight qualifiers for the Walker Cup Knockout competition will embark on the championship quest tomorrow and Saturday in quarter-final match-ups at the Constant Spring field.

Tomorrow, Holy Trinity challenge Charlie Smith at 1:00 pm, while at 3:00 pm, title-holders Wolmer’s battle Spanish Town.

On Saturday, reigning Manning Cup champions St George’s renew their rivalry with Hydel, the team they beat in last season’s final.

In the 3:00 pm clash at the venue, Excelsior High take on Jamaica College.

For the Manning Cup competition, the top two teams in each group automatically advance to the second round, while the two best third place schools also progress.

However, only the seven group winners and the best second place team move on to contest the Walker Cup.

Meanwhile, in a rescheduled Group G Manning Cup fixture yesterday, it is understood that St Mary’s College were leading fellow out-of-contention team Meadowbrook High 2-0 at the half-time break when persistent rain and a waterlogged field forced officials to abandon the game.