KINGSTON, Jamaica -Clarendon College put in a polished performance to begin their title defence of the ISSA Champions Cup when they turned back Mona High 3-1 at Sabina Park on Saturday.

First half goals from Marques Reid in the 18th minute and Kristoff Graham in the 31st, put the champions ahead before a goal early in the second half from Denzil McKenzie gave Mona some hope.

But the response from the Lenworth Hyde- coached team was swift as they snuffed out any hope of a comeback for Craig Butler’s boys when Kshaine Gordon got what turned out to be the final goal of the contest in the 63rd minute.

Hyde acknowledged that Mona was able to get in and amongst his team but was happy with how his players coped with the disruptions.

“We dominated the game in patches because of how the Mona team played. They played with a lot of long balls and pressed us back. We were confident and composed enough to nullify their chances. When the time came for us to play our game, we put down the ball and play,” he said.

Hyde, an attacker himself in his playing days, approved of the way his team got their goals.

“I think we scored three nice goals based on the run of play and counter-attack. The players understand what we want from them, and they are delivering.”

Clarendon College remains one of two unbeaten teams in schoolboy football this season and Hyde credits preparation as key to this achievement.

“Most of the players are back from last year. The high level of training and preparation that we put in this season, because last year we didn’t have a good preparation, so this year we prepared well, hence you see why we are running like that out there and the understanding of how I want them to play, they understand it,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Reid who got the first goal of the game and was eventually named man of the match, says he expected the win.

“We trained for it,” he stressed.

He also believes they are capable of getting back to the final to defend their title in early December.

“One we keep disciplined and work hard on the training ground it will happen,” he argued.

Clarendon College will play STATHS who defeated Manchester High 1-0 at STETHS, in the semifinals next Saturday at the National Stadium.