THEY have been lurking in the shadows for quite some time, but Wolmer’s Boys’ have now come to the fore as one of the main contenders for all four titles this season.

The Heroes’ Circle-based team has been a prominent outfit all season and will put their unbeaten record on the line when they face-off against reigning champions Jamaica College in an intriguing ISSA/Flow Super Cup semi-final clash at Sabina Park today.

Both Wolmer’s and Jamaica College scored victories in their respective Manning Cup fixtures on Thursday and the 4:00 pm kick-off today will allow for minimal, but much appreciated recovery time.

The Vassel Reynolds-coached unit defeated Jamaica College 4-3 on penalties to secure a spot in the final of the Walker Cup and like St George’s College, who they will meet in the final, will be aiming to make it two in two.

Wolmer’s are also a point away from advancing to the semi-finals of the Manning Cup, and their chances of getting there, and by extension into the final of the Super Cup, would be much brighter having once defeated their opponents.

The maroon and gold team is not as strong as last year’s unit, but the boys have shown that they can hold their own in a tough encounter.

And with the experience of tactician Reynolds now at the helm, they are currently in line to surpass the performance of last year’s team and, by extension, the last title-inning team of 1994.

Wolmer’s are not as fluid in scoring goals as some teams are, but can spring a few surprises in attack. Their composed 3-1 victory over Port Antonio High and a gutsy 1-0 win over rural area champions Clarendon College have laid the platform heading into the semi-final.

If able to produce similar or even better performances against the champions, then Wolmer’s might be hard to oppose, thereby treating fans to an explosive encounter.

However, Reynolds, though wary of a tough challenge from their opponents, declared that his unit is ready and focused to give a good showing.

“Now that we have got past the Holy Trinity game we can go back to training and prepare for the JC game, which should be a close encounter. We have met them twice in very close games, one 1-0 and in penalties, so I expect a tight one, but we are prepared to give our best on Saturday (today),” Reynolds told the Jamaica Observer after their 2-1 win over Holy Trinity on Thursday.

The nippy Rojay Smith, along with Prince McGilvery, Alphanso Gooden and Captain Keshawn Smith are expected to lead the attacking line, while central defender Jahwahni Hinds will marshal the back line for Wolmer’s Boys’.

— Sherdon Cowan