JAMAICA College (JC) captured their 22nd lien on the 97th LIME/ISSA Manning Cup trophy with an epic 3-2 extra-time win over Wolmer’s Boys at the National Stadium yesterday.

JC, with their most recent wins being in 2007 and 2010, were made to work hard for this one by a courageous Wolmer’s aggregation, but in the end were deserved champions.

The Dark Blues from Old Hope Road started the day on 21 wins, the same as dethroned champion St George’s College. They are now the most successful school, having first won the title in 1909.

In fact, the records will show JC with 25 titles, but their first three titles have been basically erased because the competition was played among both urban and rural schools.

A fortuitous own goal gave JC a 26th-minute lead, but two brilliant goals by Jaheel Hyde in the 30th and 63rd minutes, swung the advantage in Wolmer’s favour.

Hyde, who won the 110 hurdles at the World Youth Track and Field Championship earlier this year, first netted a beautiful free kick from just outside the box then he met a rightsided cross and expertly nodded home what seemed to be the winner.

But with time running out, JC were not in the mood to quit and Rafeik Bryan saw his downward header slipping out of the grasp of the Wolmer’s custodian to level the scores in the 87th minute.

Substitute Ronald Brown then found the clincher for JC in extra time, slotting home in the 99th minute to send the Dark Blues into rapture and on to yet another title.

With 21 minutes still remaining in extra time, coach Miguel Coley had to keep his boys calm and focused as Wolmer’s threw everything but their boots at them in search of that crucial goal to send the game into penalties. But JC were not to be denied and held on for the victory.

Depite the efforts of the police and security guards on hand, the field was turned into a sea of dark blue as fans streamed onto the field to celebrate.

Victorious coach Coley was just as ecstatic and was at a loss for words as tears filled his eyes.

“I am on top of the world. This is what we wanted. This is the moment we dream about. This is a moment within a moment. It’s a long journey and this is the cup we needed and we got it,” said Coley.

While the JC faithful were busy celebrating, Wolmer’s were left licking their wounds and their 19-year wait to lift the trophy continued despite a gallant effort on their part.

The team never got back to the high that saw them knock St George’s College out last week and as expected, the second extra time in a week, took its toll and the players failed to respond.