Former champions Rusea’s High and contenders Manchester High made winning starts to the ISSA daCosta Cup football competition on Monday with victories over Merlene Ottey High and Mt St Joseph Catholic High respectively.

Rusea’s hammered Merlene Ottey High 7-0 while Manchester High were easy 4-0 winners over St Joseph who lost all five games played last season, their first in the competition.

Shamour Smith led the way for Rusea’s with a half hat-trick in the first half as they got off to a fast start and led 4-0 at halftime.

Terome Morgan, Jathae Reid and DeonJay Brown added goals in the second half for Rusea’s who lead Zone B on goal difference over Green Island High who edged Hopewell High 1-0 at Orchard, also on Monday.

Orlando Smith scored the only goal for Green Island to take all three points.