DEFENDING champions Jamaica College (JC) produced a workmanlike performance to beat Tivoli Gardens 2-0 in their Zone B opening game of the ISSA Manning Cup at National Stadium on Saturday evening.

Thierry Garrick in the 45th and Javaun Mills in the 80th minute were the goalscorers for Davion Ferguson-coached JC.

The “Dark Blues”, who are aiming for their 32nd lien on the trophy, started the match very confidently as they dominated possession in the first half of the game.

In fact, they only had themselves to be blame for failing to score in the first period as they squandered a number of clear scoring opportunities.

Striker Amarlie King, playing on the right wing, missed two easy scoring chances for JC in the opening 10 minutes of the game.

Firstly, after controlling a pass out of the midfield from Jabari Howell inside the 18-yard box King proceeded to turn away from Tivoli defenders, but with goalkeeper Shakur Adair at his mercy his weak shot went wide of the target.

A few minutes later King, who tormented the Tivoli defenders with skill and pace, outran three Tivoli defenders, but with Adair advancing out of his goal he fired high over the crossbar.

JC forward Giovanni Taylor thought he had scored from 12 yards but his curling shot was spectacularly turned away behind for a corner by Adair, who had a brilliant first half for his team.

However, JC were finally rewarded for their dominance when Garrick collected a pass from Javaun Mills inside the 18-yard box before unleashing a powerful, left-footed shot past Adair.

JC created several chances in the opening minutes of the second half but they were kept out by excellent goalkeeping from Adair who had to make a number of brilliant saves to keep his opponents from increasing their lead.

Tivoli, who are the reigning Walker Cup champions, registered only two shots on target in the second stanza.

JC wrapped up the victory with 10 minutes remaining when Mills arrived in the centre of the 18-yard area to head home a well-measured cross from Dyllan John to seal all three points for his team.

The other teams in the Zone are Cumberland, Meadowbrook, Spanish Town, and Kingston Technical.