Semi spots on the line in Manning Cup

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

The semi-final places will be decided after today's final round of matches in the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Pepsi/Digicel urban area schoolboy Manning Cup competition.

Group Two, an intriguing encounter, match up defending champions St George's College (StGC) as they must beat leaders Jamaica College (JC) by at least four clear goals to win the group at the Constant Sports Complex, starting at 3 p.m.

However, Bridgeport High, who are tied in second place in the same group, also have a good chance of topping the group as they will face bottom-place Kingston College (KC) at the Spanish Town Prison Oval in St Catherine, also starting at 3 p.m.

Goal difference

JC lead the group with six points, three ahead of StGC and Bridgeport who have a minus one goal difference. However, StGC are ahead of Bridgeport with an even goal difference. KC are in last place without a point.

Over in Group Three, leaders Norman Manley (six points) are the favourites to advance as they face bottom-place Tivoli Gardens, who are without a point, at the Excelsior High School, starting at 3 p.m.

In the group's other game, Excelsior and Wolmer's will be aiming to get the better of each other in order to progress as the next best second-place team. Both teams are locked on three points each and will face each other at Kingston College on North Street, starting at 3 p.m.

Group One is wide open. All four teams are still in with a chance of progressing to the semi-finals. Leaders Eltham High (four points) will tackle second-place Charlie Smith (three) at the Constant Spring Sports Complex, starting at 1 p.m. and Waterford, who are also on three points, will face St Andrew Technical (one) at the Prison Oval, starting 1 p.m.

The winners of the three groups plus the best second-place team will advance to the semi-finals.

Today's games

Group One:

Waterford vs St Andrew Technical at Prison Oval at 1 p.m.

Eltham vs Charlie Smith at the Constant Spring Sports Complex at 1 p.m.

Group Two:

Bridgeport vs Kingston College at Prison Oval at 3 p.m.

St George's College vs Jamaica College at Constant Spring Sports Complex at 3 p.m.

Group Three:

Excelsior vs Wolmer's at Kingston College on North Street at 3 p.m.

Norman Manley vs Tivoli Gardens at Excelsior High School at 3 p.m.