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The Classics

St George's College clinches Olivier Shield in a dramatic draw

Published:Friday | November 10, 2023 | 7:56 AM
Members of the Cornwall College football team which drew 1-1 with St George's College on Saturday, November 10, 1956 at Cornwall in the second match of the two-leg final for the Olivier Shield. St George's won the shield having defeated Cornwall 1-0 in the first match. In front is Leroy Levy, goalkeeper, kneeling (L to R) are Ray Clarke, Henry Chin, Joseph Chow, Owen McKensie and Courtney Henry; standing (L to R): D Jones, sportsmaster; George Chung, Keith Thelwell (capt), Vernon Wong, Ernest Hew, Donald Allen and W.G. McLean, coach.

St George’s College emerged victorious in the Olivier Shield, securing the prestigious title with a 1-1 draw against Cornwall College in a gripping two-leg final. Cornwall managed to equalise during the challenging weather conditions, showcasing resilience. St George's pivotal moment came in the 15th minute when Tony MacKenzie skillfully capitalised on a defensive lapse to score the decisive goal. Despite Cornwall's tenacity and an equalising goal by Vernon Wong, the Light Blues held their ground, securing their championship victory.

PUBLISHED SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1956

Light Blues Olivier Shield Champions

ST GEORGE’S College have won the Olivier Shield.  The Manning Cup champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Cornwall College, the daCosta Cup winners, at Cornwall here this afternoon, but took the shield in the two-leg final on a basis of higher goal aggregate, having won the first match 1-0 in Kingston last week.

The match was played under very contrasting conditions.  There was bright sun in the first half but, for 20 minutes in the second half, play was on a sloppy field as heavy rain showers fell.

Players in this half could hardly set the ball away, but it was during these prevailing conditions that Cornwall gained the equaliser.

The game, in many respects, patterned that of last week at Sabina Park. Cornwall again dictated play for the first 10 minutes and should have taken the lead, but Vernon Wong headed over the crossbar.

THE GOAL

The Light Blues got their first break in the 15th minute and, with it, they sealed the fate of the shield.  From midfield, they initiated a movement in which Tony MacKenzie passed out to the outside left. The return pass was intercepted by a Cornwall defender who failed to hold it.  MacKenzie pounced on the ball and, as the defence crowded together, he nimbly passed around them and scored with a well-placed shot.  Leroy Levy in goal made no attempt at saving.

Cornwall’s attack was weakened through poor positioning of the wingers and failure of the inside forwards to press home advantages.

The half ended 1-0.  Ten minutes after the resumption, there was heavy rain and the game was more of a water game than football match.

Keith Thelwell, captain of Cornwall, turned in a good performance as he worked the ball on the sodden field.

Assisted by his outside right and inner men, Thelwell pierced the Georgian defence and Vernon Wong scored.

Shortly before this, The Light Blues shot past Levy, but the referee blew for off-side.

Cornwall fought hard to go ahead but the Georgian defence held until the final whistle.

The game was ably handled by referee Mortimer Geddes, assisted by linesmen Ivanhoe Morrison and St Elmo Dillon.

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