Rusea's, JC in final showdown

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

While they have one hand on the trophy after Wednesday's 1-0 win in Kingston, urban champions Jamaica College (JC) should be in for a severe test when they renew rivalry with rural champions Rusea's in this afternoon's second-leg final of the 2010 Olivier Shield at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay.

In the first leg, the Alrick Henry-coached JC secured their slender one-goal advantage courtesy of a 10th minute penalty by influential captain Ashani Walker. However, Rusea's missed a penalty and later struck the goalpost in their vain attempt to peg back JC.

"We don't believe one goal is going to decide the Olivier Shield this year," said Anthony 'Follies' Williams, who shares coaching duties at Rusea's with Emerson 'Diggy' Henry. "We had an off day in Kingston but still managed to create enough opportunities to have won the game. We intend to turn the tables on them come Saturday (today)."

For JC, coach Henry shrugged his shoulders and said, "It has been a tough season and I just want to go home," when quizzed about his expectations for today's second leg. They are unlikely to feel at home at Jarrett Park, which has been a happy hunting ground for Rusea's over the years.

Place in history

Rusea's will be hunting their seventh hold on the shield and their first since 2002, while JC will be gunning for their fifth hold. The Corporate Area school will also be seeking a place in history as, having already won the Manning and Walker cups, victory today would see them winning the triple crown for the first time.

While the JC camp is cognisant of the fact that a draw would be enough for the team to take their

place in schoolboy football history, team manager Ian Forbes expects the team to go for another win.

"We want to win every game we play ... that is our style," said Forbes. "Come Saturday, we intend to leave Montego Bay with another win and the title."

For JC, affectionately dubbed the 'Dark Blues' by their adoring fans, the 2010 schoolboy journey has been an interesting one. Success started when they spanked Waterford 3-0 for their 21st Manning Cup title, which they followed up with a 3-1 win against Bridgeport for the Walker Cup. Having clipped Rusea's 1-0 in the first-leg Olivier Shield final, it would appear that history is beckoning JC.

For the Rusea's team, which missed out on the Ben Francis KO title after a 2-1 loss to Manning's, but subsequently won the their ninth daCosta Cup title with a contro-versial 1-0 win against Lennon, they are hoping that winning the Olivier Shield will take the monkey of the daCosta Cup controversy off their back.

Happy ending

Looking at Rusea's daCosta Cup record, which saw them playing 16 games, winning 14 and drawing two, one could not seriously question their quality. Having won their last seven games at Jarrett Park, they must be hoping that the venue will give them a happy ending to the season.

Going into today's game, Rusea's will definitely miss the services of the hard-working Miguel Jones, who was red-carded in Kingston. However, the prolific Brian Brown, who missed the penalty in Kingston, Anthony Walker, who struck the upright, alongside Jermaine Woozencraft and skipper Wonnick Pinnock should be able to keep the unit focused.

For JC, skipper Walker, Kemar Prince, Odane Greensword, Theo Campbell, Andre Messam, Nicholos Scott and Shamar Thomas have all acquitted themselves well throughout the season and should want to end the season with a bang.