Coach Bertis eyes schoolboy triple

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Neville 'Bertis' Bell, coach of the ISSA/Gatorade/Digicel Corporate Area schoolboy football double champions St George's College, said he has his sights set on winning this year's triple crown.

The 'Light Blues' took a giant step towards achieving this feat on Wednesday when they defeated arch-rivals Kingston College 2-1 in the final of the Walker Cup knockout competition, to add to this year's Manning Cup title.

Bell has never won the triple as a high school coach, despite winning the Manning Cup and Walker Cup on separate occasions.

The Georgians won their 21st lien on the Manning Cup last weekend by beating Charlie Smith 3-1.

"I certainly want the triple," Bell said. "I have never had the triple and this is the fourth season that I have had a double," said Bell. "However, St George's have had the triple ... we will continue to have fun this season and, hopefully, it will work for us," he said.

The Georgians will face either St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) or Rusea's High in the Olivier Shield two-leg play-off on December 7 and 10. Both teams are set to contest the final of the daCosta Cup tomorrow.

Bell added that his charges are looking forward to playing either team in both legs of the two-way tie.

"We are so happy that we are there. We have beaten STETHS in the Olivier Shield before but we lost to Rusea's. Both coaches are my friends and I wish them very well," Bell said.

He added: "However, if I had to pick a team I would pick the team that will be the one easier to beat, but neither of them will be easy at all."

Bell said the long season has taken a toll on his players but he is confident they would give a good account of themselves in the Olivier Shield.

"We are tired, but these are young boys and we have a deep squad, and that is why I didn't start Davion Kelly (in the Walker Cup final on Wednesday) and he came on and he scored. There are two more games to go and, hopefully, we can last them," Bell said.