Byfield hat-trick keeps KC’s title defence alive
ISSA Manning Cup champions Kingston College (KC) kept their title defence alive with a comfortable 3-0 win over Campion College in Group 2 at the Ashenhiem Stadium, Old Hope Road, on Friday.
Deshawn Byfield scored all three goals — 49th, 61st and 82nd — taking his tally to 18 for the season.
Byfield is now four goals behind leading marksman Sean Leighton of Mona High.
It was Byfield’s third hat-trick of the season, and KC will collect another $50,000 from competition sponsor KFC. The player is to collect $10,000 worth of KFC meals.
Kingston College, who are rebounding from their 0-1 loss to Hydel High, moved to three points to be in third spot. They are behind both Calabar and Hydel, who are on four points each, after they battled to a 1-1 draw.
The stage is set for an epic final round in Group 2 with three teams battling for the two spots available.
KC are to face Calabar, while Hydel seemingly have the easier path against Campion College, who are out of contention.
Many-time champions St George’s College crashed out of the competition after losing 1-3 to Vauxhall in Group 3.
The ‘Light Blues’ of North Street are without a point after two games, while Vauxhall moved to four points atop of the group.
However, that could change as on Saturday, Charlie Smith High (three points) take on St Catherine High on one point.
In Group 4, the 2023 champions Mona High were stunned 0-1 by Eltham High in a result that has thrown Group 4 wide open as Jamaica College (JC) clipped St Jago High 2-1.
Eltham, who drew with JC in their first game, lead the group with four points. JC are on four points, with Mona slipping to third spot on three points. St Jago have been eliminated without a point after two games.
Mona and JC are scheduled to clash on Wednesday and Eltham are to face St Jago High to decide the two teams to advance to the quarter-finals.
In Group 1, Tivoli Gardens High sent Wolmer’s Boys’ packing, beating them 2-0, while St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) edged Excelsior High 1-0.
STATHS jumped to the top of the group with six points and booked their spot in the next round. Tivoli Gardens and Excelsior are on three points each, with both set to meet on Tuesday.
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Group 1
Excelsior 0, STATHS 1
Tivoli Gardens 2, Wolmer’s 0
Group 2
Campion 0, KC 3
Calabar 1, Hydel 1
Group 3
Vauxhall 3, St George’s 1
Group 4
Eltham 1, Mona 0
JC 2, St Jago 1
