Gutsy Old Harbour cop Ben Francis KO slot

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Old Harbour High School joined the list of qualifiers for the Ben Francis Knockout competition yesterday, when they defeated Charlemont High School 3-2 in their crucial Zone J fixture in the 2010 ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup rural area schoolboy football match, to move to an unassailable 25 points.

In a game they had to win to top the group, Old Harbour, who had a 2-0 win when the teams met in the first round, turned in a gutsy performance to snatch victory through goals from the prolific Clinton Ashley (two) and Tashief Johnson.

Second place

Despite the loss, Charlemont are nonetheless assured of a place in the inter-zone round of the competition as their 22 points, accumulated with seven wins, one draw and two defeats, give them second place in the group behind Old Harbour.

In Zone I, where Garvey Maceo (18) and Denbigh High (15) are locked in a tight battle to join group winners Glenmuir in the inter-zone round, it was a case of disappointment and frustration for the two contenders. It was frustration for Garvey Maceo, whose game against Glenmuir washed out; and disappointment for Denbigh, who could only manage a 0-0 draw against Kemps Hill.

"It is kind of frustrating that the game was rained out because this is the second time it is happening," said Garvey Maceo's coach, Jeffrey Hewitt. "I understand that Denbigh drew with Kemps Hill and if that is really the case then that result suits us."

Assured spots

With only the qualifiers from zones H and K to be decided, the team already assured of Ben Francis KO slots are daCosta Cup champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), Glenmuir, St James High, Paul Bogle, Rusea's, St Mary Technical, Marcus Garvey, Mannings, Manchester High and Old Harbour.

In the addition to the Ben Francis KO qualifiers, the other teams that have sealed inter-zone places are St Thomas Technical, Grange Hill, Munro College, Brown's Town High, St Mary High, Charlemont, Old Harbour and Spot Valley High.

In today's lone game, Zone G contenders Knox College (20) and Christiana (17), who are locked in a tight race with Spaldings High (22) to join zone winners Manchester High in the inter-zone round, will meet in a crucial game in Christiana. A defeat for either team will put an end to their campaign.

Yesterday's Results

Zone I

Garvey Maceo vs Glenmuir - rained out, Tacius Golding 1 Kemps Hill 0, Central 0 Denbigh High 0

Zone J:- Old Harbour 3 Charlemont 2

Today's Game

Zone G:- Christiana High vs Knox College at Christiana