For a third time in four seasons Clarendon College delayed their Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/WATA daCosta Cup celebrations in anticipation of Olivier Shield triumph. And for a third time in four seasons the decision was justified, as they reclaimed the badge of all-island supremacy after defeating Jamaica College 3-0 in the showpiece at Stadium East field on Wednesday.

It was a repeat of the 2019 clash between the two schools, but unlike then — when they required a stoppage time goal and penalties for victory — Clarendon College made certain that this, their sixth Olivier Shield lien, was secured in regulation time.

Marques Reid (19th), Devonti Hodges (22nd), and Keheim Dixon (84th) all capitalised on Jamaica College’s atrocious defending to ensure that the title they first won 1977 — then 1978, 1998, 2018 and 2019 — returned to their Chapelton base to complement their 10th daCosta Cup hold.

Winning Coach Lenworth “Teacha” Hyde was delighted that his players followed through on their promise to honour Assistant Manager Neville “Manny” Peart, who recently passed away.

“The plan was to stay high press for the first 20 minutes, and the players executed well. They were disciplined, focused, and they did what they had to right throughout the first half,” Hyde said in a post-game interview.

“So it’s a great feeling and we were confident. Based on how the pre-season went we knew we would pull through. And we can’t forget Manny; he is a stalwart and the players did this for him,” he added.

His counterpart Davion Ferguson admitted his team was a no-show in the attempt at the treble, after seemingly failing to recover from the exertion related to their Champions Cup victory over Kingston College days ago.

“I think we were mentally and physically fatigued, what you saw today was one team with 11 days’ rest and one with only two or three days’ rest. But I think CC was a class today nonetheless, and they really put on a good performance. But my boys have done enough this season and I am really proud of them,” Ferguson told the Jamaica Observer.

The Chapelton-based team didn’t take long to silence the large section of Jamaica College fans inside the packed venue.

In the 19th minute, Jamaica College’s tired-looking defence allowed Malachi Douglas space and time to test goalkeeper Rassico Rose from a distance with Reid being the first to pounce and slot home the rebound.

It may not have been the first time Jamaica College trailed this season, but what was a stellar unbeaten run up to this point was on the verge of being tarnished three minutes later.

Christopher Hull’s shot from just inside the 18-yard box was tipped over by Rose and, much like the first goal, JC’s defence failed to clear their lines from the resulting corner. As such, a loose ball fell kindly for Hodges, who drove home a right-footer from about 20 yards out beating Rose’s full stretch dive to his left.

Jamaica College tried to claw their way back into the contest, but had little success in final third. Their best effort came shortly before the break when Maquan Aldridge’s weighted cross was met by Tarick Ximinies, but the firm header went straight to the gloves of Romeo Daniels in goal for Clarendon College.

The Clarendon team maintained the momentum on the resumption and had a few half chances which was a renewed signal of their intentions not to let up.

Still, Jamaica College played with pride of renewed energy and enthusiasm, especially after Ferguson replaced his front three — Aldridge, Ximinies and Kevaughn Wilson — in the latter stages and managed to push Clarendon College on the defensive, but they still could not find a way to score.

But Clarendon College did. Another tired-looking attempt at a clearance from Jamaica College’s Captain Xavier Davidson allowed Dixon to gather possession and sprint into the 18-yard box, where he calmly placed a right-footer to Rose’s left and cap the win six minutes from time.