THE first round of the ISSA/Wata rural area Under-14 and Under-16 competition is heading for an interesting finish as teams hustle for one of the two qualifying places from each of the 12 zones.

The first round is scheduled to end today, but a number of outstanding matches are still to be played that could help decide qualifiers in some zones.

Just one of the zones has completed its schedule as Petersfield High in Zone C, along with Grange Hill (runners-up in the Under-14) and Mannings (runners-up in the Under-16), have advanced to the second round.

All-island Under-16 champions Cornwall College on Tuesday shook off a strong challenge from St James High to emerge 2-0 victors and win their fifth straight game to secure the top spot in Zone A, while Spalding High will advance in both sections from Zone F, winning the Under-14 section with 10 points and cannot be passed for second place in the Under-16 sections. DeCarteret College have also secured qualification from Zone G in the Under-16 section.

Also in Zone F, Mile Gully High and Holmwood Technical are tied for second place on five points, while Holmwood Technical on eight points, Porus High on seven points with a game in hand are trailing Spalding in the Under-16 section.

The Under-14 section in Zone A is delicately balanced with four teams vying for the two spots with one round of games to go.

Herbert Morrison lead with 11 points, one more than Cornwall College who beat St James High for their third straight victory on Tuesday; St James and Spot Valley are both on eight points, while Anchovy who beat William Knibb 2-0 for their first win this season are on five points.

Nic Antonio Lewis’ late goal gave Cornwall College a 1-0 victory over St James to keep their hopes alive as they take on Spot Valley at home in their final group game.

Spot Valley beat Green Pond in their game as well.

Cambridge High lead the Under-14 section of Zone B with eight points, one ahead of Frome Technical High, while Rusea’s High are on six points.

Irwin lead the Under-16 section with Rusea’s next with six points, but with games in hand.

Cedric Titus High lead both sections of Zone D with nine and 10 points, respectively. Marcus Garvey Technical are second in the Under-16 on seven points followed by Muschett High on six and Ocho Rios High on five.

Munro College and STETHS lead the Under-14 and Under-16 sections of Zone E, respectively, while Munro are on 12 points from four wins in the Under-14 followed by STETHS, whom they beat, on nine and Maggoty High next on six points.

STETHS have a slim one-point lead in the Under-16 section, eight points to Munro’s seven with Newell High next with six points.

Cross Keys High are the leaders in the Under-14 section of Zone G with seven points followed by May Day High and Manchester High, six points each.

May Day High are second in the Under-16 section behind DeCarteret with BB Coke and Manchester High on four points each.