In the midst of mourning, defiant St George’s College (STGC) will contest one of five Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/FLOW Manning Cup contests across three groups in the corporate area today.

With the organising body and sponsors contemplating a postponement of the competition, Neville Bell, coach of St George’s College, had insisted that the games be played.

“We don’t think it is fair to the other schools. We don’t want to disrupt the competition, and one of the reasons we want to play is because we are… St George’s College. We are strong,” Bell said in making the request at Wednesday’s emotional devotion in honour of their captain Dominic James, who collapsed during a match on Tuesday and subsequently died.

The many-time champions and group favourites are hoping to come out victorious when they oppose current leaders Greater Portmore in a Group A top-of-the-table clash at Winchester Park.

St George’s College are currently on six points following 2-0 and 7-0 victories over Tivoli Gardens and Tarrant High respectively.

“We pray to God that he will give us the strength to perform to the best of our ability and whatever happens after that, we will live with that,” Bell noted as he outlined that their aspirations of copping the title remain unchanged.

However, Greater Portmore (seven points) are riding high on an unbeaten record of two wins and one draw from their three fixtures so far this season. But while their attacking capabilities are evident, the strength of their defensive prowess could prove their downfall should STGC get rolling.

They have so far netted nine times and conceded seven in their three games, which is in contrast to their opponents who are yet to concede, barring the two goals in the 2-1 scoreline of the called-off contest against Excelsior High on Tuesday. This should make for an interesting matchup between two attacking teams.

Third-placed Excelsior (four points) could also increase their tally when they visit fourth-placed Tivoli Gardens (three points) at Edward Seaga Sports Complex. The Mountain View Avenue-based team has improved significantly over the years and positively opened their campaign with 4-0 and 2-2 scorelines against Tarrant and Greater Portmore.

One could say the points for the Xavier Gilbert-led team seem safe, but Tivoli Gardens are no walkover, as was evident in a gutsy performance at home against STGC. Now back at their West Kingston base, they could make it a close affair as a more-improved performance is on the cards. Tarrant High, rooted at the bottom of the five-team table without a point, will be idle today.

The lone Group B fixture between fourth-placed Vauxhall and third-placed Eltham on one point each should also be a close encounter as both teams are currently struggling to establish some form.

Meanwhile, with former champions and Group E leaders Charlie Smith (nine points) being idle today, second–placed Waterford High (six points) could stick their nose in front. They will play away to fourth-placed Mona High (one point) in a contest that could be lopsided, given the strike force of the St Catherine-based team.

Third-placed Holy Trinity (six points), coming off a famous 2-0 win over Charlie Smith, are in a rich vein of form and should exploit the weaknesses of a struggling Clan Carthy, who are sitting at the bottom of the five-team table with a point.