St James advance with 3-1 thrashing

Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau:

St. James High became the latest qualifier for the inter-zone round of the 2007 ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup yesterday afternoon when they score a hard-fought 3-1 win over Anchovy High School in their rescheduled Zone A fixture at Jarrett Park, Montego Bay.

By virtue of the win, the Pastor Hugh Solomon-coached St. James High, which scored through Fabian McHarty, Allan Ottey and a defender's goal, moved to 19 points and out of the reach of third-place Irwin High (12), which played to a 0-0 draw with zone winner Cornwall College (25) yesterday.

"Our plan was to get the matter of qualifying for the inter-zone round behind us today and thankfully we did," said Pastor Solomon. "We will now turn our attention to making a favourable impression in the inter-zone round."

Locked in battle

While St. James High were sealing their inter-zone place, Zone B qualifier Rusea's (21), locked in a battle with Frome for the group's inter-zone place, were frustrated when rain ruled out play in their crucial rescheduled game against Merlene Ottey.

Frome (19), which were hunting maximum points against Cambridge High to strengthen their Ben Francis KO bid, did their cause no good as they could only manage a 2-2 draw, which in effect means that Rusea's will need only a draw against Merlene Ottey to take that coveted slot.

Cedric Titus, which went into their game with final Zone D qualifier Ocho Rios locked on 19 points each, made sure they qualified for the Ben Francis KO with a 2-0 win, which gave them group honours with 22 points.

In another game yesterday, Zone I qualifier Garvey Maceo all but cemented their Ben Francis KO place with a big 16-0 trouncing of Bustamante behind a seven-time effort by leading striker, Ashton Bennett. Garvey Maceo, with a game in hand, now have 23 points, four more than reigning daCosta Cup champions Glenmuir (19).

Glenmuir will be action this afternoon against Central High and any result besides a win will eliminate any thoughts they might have of advancing to the Ben Francis KO.

Yesterday's Results

Zone A:

St. James High 3 Anchovy 1

Cornwall College 0 Irwin 0

Zone B

Merlene Ottey vs Rusea's (rained out)

Cambridge 2 Frome 0

Zone C

Cedric Titus 2 Ocho Rios 0

Zone I

Bustamante 0 Garvey Maceo 16