JC, Bridgeport eye double

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica College (JC) and Bridgeport High remained in contention for the Corporate Area schoolboy double when they advanced to the semi-finals of the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup yesterday.

The two, who have already qualified for the Walker Cup KO final, are joined by Norman Manley High and Waterford High.

JC, who began the day as favourites to advance as winners of Group Two, did just that when they played out a 1-1 draw against dethroned champions St George's College in the feature game of a Constant Spring double-header.

Nicholas Scott sent JC in the lead after the first four minutes, however, a Romario Jones strike in the 38th minute levelled the proceedings for the 'Light Blues'.

The result propelled JC to seven points, one more than Bridgeport, who claimed the best second-place team spot following a 5-0 ham-mering of Kingston College in the feature game of a Spanish Town Prison Oval double-header.

Leading the way for Bridgeport, who copped the best second-place spot ahead of Group One's Charlie Smith, were Jermaine Morgan, who scored a hat-trick, and Damarnee Williams and Kenrick Preston, who got a goal each.

83rd-minute strike

Charlie Smith, who, courtesy of a Javoni Simms 83rd-minute strike, edged Eltham 1-0 in the first game at Constant Spring, to finish on six points, but lost out to the 'Reds' after ending with a plus-two goal difference, compared to the latter's plus-four.

Waterford, who are the only team among the quartet not to have lifted the Manning crown, won Group One after recording a 2-0 win over St Andrew Technical High School on goals from Andre McFarlene and Rohan Daley in the 17th and 83rd minutes, respectively, in the first game at Prison Oval.

Portmore-based Waterford were plunged into mourning earlier in the day. They lost their reserve goalkeeper Okeeffe Lewis, who was found dead in his community. They ended on six points, the same as group rivals Charlie Smith. They, however, advanced on the head-to-head rule after recording a 1-0 over the boys from Arnett Gardens, earlier in the round.

The fourth qualifiers, Norman Manley, topped Group Three with maximum nine points following a 4-0 thumping of Tivoli at Excelsior High playfield.

Norman Manley, who held a 3-0 half-time lead, won on a brace from Dean Phillips, an Oshane Roberts strike, and an own goal. The other match in the group, Wolmer's versus Excelsior, ended 1-1.

The Alfred Henry-conditioned JC will play Bridgeport in one semi-final on Saturday, a dress rehearsal for the Walker Cup final, which will follow the playing of the Manning Cup. Norman Manley will go up against Waterford in the second semi-final.