Wolmer’s, George’s to rumble on Friday – Livingston Scott
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
ALL the teams for the second round of the ISSA/Digicel/Gatorade Manning Cup and Walker Cup KO competitions have been confirmed following Saturday’s round of matches.
The next stage of the competition kicks off with the Walker Cup quarter-finals on Friday when pre-season favourites Wolmer’s Boys and defending champions St George’s College are slated for a mouthwatering contest at a venue to be announced.
Friday’s other quarter-final will pit Group G winners Charlie Smith High against Group G runners-up Kingston College (KC).
In the other pair of quarterfinals on Saturday, Excelsior High face Bridgeport High and Jamaica College (JC) host Spanish Town High. The semifinals will be played next Tuesday, October 23, and the final on November 24.
Meanwhile, the second round of the Manning Cup begins on October 26 with 16 teams divided into four groups of four vying for a semi-final spot. Only group winners will advance.
Group H will feature former winners Zone A front-runners Excelsior and Zone F runnersup Calabar. However, Zone E winners Spanish Town should fancy their chances, while Donald Quarrie could find the going a bit tough.
Group I comprises Zone B winners JC, Zone C runnersup Hydel High, best thirdplaced team Denham Town (from Zone C), and Zone G runners-up KC.
This group should be keenly contested with three of the top teams in KC, JC and Hydel, drawn into this grouping. However, Denham Town cannot be underestimated as they beat and drew with the highly-rated Hydel in their preliminary meetings this season.
Defending champions St George’s will lead the charge for a semi-final berth from Group J. They will face the unbeaten Charlie Smith, Camperdown and Holy Trinity.
Main challengers Charlie Smith have dropped points only once this season in a draw with KC, but should be well tested by the other North Street school.
Camperdown, meanwhile, will have to step up a notch if they hope to make the last four, while Holy Trinity could struggle in this phase.
Pre-season favourites Wolmer’s will headline Group K, with strong challenges expected from Bridgeport and Norman Manley, although it is believed the Heroes Circle boys have too much fire-power for their opponents.
The other team in the group, Innswood, are also making it to this stage for the first time and although they were competitive in the preliminary rounds, will have their work cut out to make the semis.
Walker Cup Q-Finals
Fri Oct 19
STGC v Wolmer’s
KC v Charlie Smith
Sat Oct 20
Excelsior v Bridgeport
JC v Spanish Town
Manning Cup Second Round
Group H
Excelsior, Donald Quarrie, Spanish Town, Calabar
Group I
Jamaica College, Denham Town, Hydel, Kingston College
Group J
St George’s, Charlie Smith, Camperdown, Holy Trinity
Group K
Bridgeport, Wolmer’s, Norman Manley, Innswood