Hunt on for inter-zone places

WESTERN BUREAU:With only St Mary Technical High already assured of advancing, a number of front-runners, including champions Rusea's High, will be gunning to seal their place in the inter-zone of the 2011-12 ISSA/Gatorade/Digicel daCosta Cup, when the rural area schoolboy football competition resumes this afternoon with a number of clashes involving the leading teams.

In addition to the 'Russians', Cedric Titus, Grange Hill, Denbigh High, Buff Bay, former champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and Munro College could all secure their place in the round of 24 (inter-zone) with wins and favourable results in other games.

Rusea's, with maximum 27 points from nine games, only need to avoid defeat in their top-of-the-table clash with second-place Frome Technical (21) to seal their inter-zone spot, which would also move them within touching distance of a Ben Francis KO slot - a place reserved for zone winners. In the first-round meeting between Frome and Rusea's at Frome Sports Ground, Rusea's registered a 2-0 win.

"As we have been saying from the first game, our first objective is to qualify for the inter-zone," said Rusea's coach Anthony 'Follies' Williams. "The next step is to top the group and qualify for the Ben Francis KO."

could qualify with a win

In Zone C, the red-hot, unbeaten Cedric Titus (19) just need a win against second-place Marcus Garvey (12) to take one of the group's two inter-zone slots. In their first-round meeting on Marcus Garvey's home ground, the contest ended in a 1-1 draw.

The enterprising Grange Hill, who lead Zone E with 18 points, look a safe bet to repeat their first-round win against lowly Maud McLeod and seal their inter-zone place. In fact, Grange Hill could draw and still advance if the game between Godfrey Stewart (11) and Petersfield (11) end in a draw.

In Zone F, the winner of the top-of-the-table clash between STETHS and Munro College, who are locked atop the standings with 22 points each, will advance. In fact, should the game end in a draw and Black River (12) lose their game against struggling Newell, STETHS and Munro College would advance as the group's inter-zone qualifiers.

In Zone I, a most interesting scenario is ahead. A win for leaders Denbigh (27) and a victory for Glemuir (19) against Garvey Maceo (19) would see Denbigh advancing. It would also put Glemuir within striking distance of the other inter-zone place.

In Zone K, the rollicking Buff Bay High, who lead the group with 16 points, will stroll into the inter-zone round if they beat Happy Grove (eight) and there is an outright win for either Port Antonio (11) or Titchfield (13) in their much-anticipated clash. In the first round, Buff Bay spanked Happy Grove 3-1.

Zone A

St James vs Cornwall

Muschett vs Spot Valley

Irwin vs Green Pond

Zone B

Merlene Ottey vs Green Island

Rusea's vs Frome

Maldon vs Anchovy

Zone C

Ocho Rios vs Brown's Town

Cedric Titus vs Marcus Garvey

Albert Town vs York Castle

Zone D

Brimmervale vs Iona

Tacky vs St Mary High

Zone E

Petersfield vs Godfrey Stewart

Grange Hill vs Maud McLeod

Little London vs Manning's

Zone F

STETHS vs Munro

Newell vs Black River

Balaclava vs Lacovia

Zone G

Holmwood vs Mile Gully

Bellefield vs Christiana

Spaldings vs Manchester

Zone H

Claude McKay vs Lennon

Clarendon College vs Alston

Porus vs Thompson Town

Zone I

Vere vs Bustamante

Garvey Maceo vs Glenmuir

Kemps Hill vs Denbigh

Zone J

McGrath vs Tacius Golding

Bog Walk vs Ewarton

Charlemont vs Dinthill

Zone K

Titchfield vs Port Antonio

Happy Grove vs Buff Bay

Annotto Bay vs Fair Prospect

Zone L

Morant Bay vs Robert Lightbourne

Paul Bogle vs St Thomas Tech

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