MONTEGO BAY, St James — Cornwall College outclassed Munro College 4-0 in their annual preseason Jackson Shield game at Cornwall College in Montego Bay on Saturday, as the team wound down preparation for the start of the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association daCosta Cup which starts this weekend.

Kamali Powell, who was part of the most recent national Under-20 team, gave Cornwall College the lead from the penalty spot after he was taken down inside the box.

Darnell Brissett fired home after a good run down the left wing, while Mikhail Samuels made it 3-0 when he headed home from close range just before the half-time break.

Giovannie Bruce added a fourth just after the restart when he struck a half-volley from just outside the 18-yard box that flew into the far corner of the goal.

After an even start, the hosts eventually took over the game and the final score was an indication of two teams that could be going in opposite directions.

Munro College Coach Patrick “Jackie” Walters admitted the team was not where he wanted it to be.

“The preseason was not what we wanted…based on our transition from last year, out of a squad of 22 we had lost 15 of those players, and of the seven that returned, three played full time last year but this will be their second year, so we lack experience — especially against good teams.”

He added: “We played in spurts today, not consistent but we could have done better,” adding, “I anticipate that we will grow as a team, the more games we play the better we will get.”

Dr Dean Weatherly, the Cornwall College coach who won their 12th title in 2016 and were losing finalists in 2018, said he was happy with what he was seeing from his charges.

He said while he knew about the depletion of the Munro team he was expecting a tougher test.

“We did what was asked of us, we played very well based on what was asked of us today and what we were preparing for, it’s up to us to go and build on what we achieved while looking at the bigger picture.”

With about a week left before the start of the competition, Weatherly said the team was getting where the coaching staff hoped they would be.

“We saw some good things today that we need to cement and the players are grasping what we are trying to impart, and yes, we are in a good position.”

The Jackson Shield has been played between the two long-time rivals for the past 20 years or so but has been dominated by the Montego Bay school for over a decade.

Usually there are two games, the current daCosta Cup teams against each other then an over 35 game with the winners decided on the aggregate scores between the two games.

Only one game was played on Saturday, however, as Munro failed to field a team for the Masters game.

— Paul A Reid