THREE of last year’s four semi-finalists managed to secure a place in Round 2 of this season’s LIME/ISSA Manning Cup after this weekend’s round of play. Jamaica College, St George’s College and Wolmer’s Boys have maintained a 100 per cent record in the competition so far and are favourites to play in the Walker Cup as well.

In Group A, St George’s dispatched Waterford 3-0 in another dominant victory. This leaves them eight points above third place Waterford who have also played a game more than STGC. In other Group A action, Campion College put up a valiant effort but were unable to gain any points as they lost to Jose Marti 2-1.

Excelsior High failed to make use of their chance to go to the top of the table in Group B when they could only manage to draw with Charlie Smith High 1-1. This result leaves Charlie Smith at the top of the group by three points. Vauxhall High thrashed Mona High 5-0 in the group’s other game. The win keeps their hope of progressing to the next round alive as they sit three points behind Excelsior with a game in hand.

Denham Town now only lead Group C by goal difference due to their 1-1 draw with Tivoli High. Innswood scraped to a 2-1 victory over Edith Dalton High, however, it was enough for them to catch up to leaders Denham Town. In the group’s third and final game Ardenne High fell to a close 1-0 defeat to St Mary’s College.

Dark horses Haile Selassie High continued their march at the summit of Group D with a 2-0 win over Papine High. Camperdown High opened the flood gates on Dunoon Technical beating them 7-0 to keep in touching distance of first place, especially since they have a game in hand. Greater Portmore got the bragging rights in the second fixture of the Portmore Derby after beating Bridgeport 1-0 in the group’s other game.

Wolmer’s Boys’ showed no signs of mercy in their 7-0 drubbing of Clan Carthy High. Spanish Town High decided to match the Group E leaders, taking care of Trench Town with the same 7-0 scoreline. It is unlikely however that they will progress as they are six points off second even though they have played a game more.

Hydel High continued the high-scoring fixtures of this weekend with a 7-1 win over Eltham High in Group F. St Jago got the advantage over Calabar High in the fight for the automatic second place spot when they secured a close 2-1 victory. Both teams now remain on 13 points with St Jago leading on goal difference. St Catherine High are not out of it either with a 6-0 win over Penwood leaving them on 10 points in the group.

Norman Manley High beat Kingston Technical 3-0 to leave themselves in prime position to progress as second in Group G. This result, coincided with Jonathan Grant and St Andrew Technical’s 1-1 draw, paved the way for JC’s progression, although they did not have a game on the weekend.