Paul Clarke, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) drubbed Black River 8-0 in the ISSA/Gatorade/Digicel daCosta Cup yesterday to advance to this year's Ben Francis Knockout.

The win for the defending Ben Francis champions was all the sweeter, as rivals Munro College were humbled 2-1 by Maggotty but still clinched a spot in the inter-zone round.

Khesanio Hall continued his goalscoring exploits to take his tally on the season to 15 goals, slamming a four-timer in leading the Omar Wedderbourne-coached STETHS team to their big win. The other scorers for the winners were Luciel Banton, Romario Thompson, Omario Myers and Rushane Scarlett.

A delighted Wedderbourne said he is now planning on the defence of their knockout title.

"It was a good win today. We are a settled team, so now it's on to the Ben Francis and we will defend the title and progress even deeper into the daCosta Cup," he said.

Meanwhile in Zone B, defending champions Rusea's High had to settle for second despite whipping Cambridge 3-0, as Frome bagged the Ben Francis slot with a 3-0 win of their own over Green Island.

Cornwall College won Zone A on goal difference over St James High with a 6-0 hammering of Maldon, while St James beat Green Pond 3-1 to also advance.

William Knibb took top honours in Zone C in spite of being held to a 1-1 draw by Muschett. Spot Valley advanced with a 0-0 draw with Holland.

Over in Zone D, Grange Hill defeated Little London 4-0 and claimed top spot, as the Petersfield versus Godfrey Stewart match was rained out.

Lennon won Zone H with 18 points, after stopping Edwin Allen 2-0.

Paul Bogle continued their relentless march towards a first title with another big performance hitting Robert Lightbourne for six in Zone O, moving forward with a perfect record. Seaforth also advanced from the zone with a 1-1 draw against Morant Bay.

Yesterday's results

Zone A

Cornwall College 6 Maldon 0

St James 3 Green Pond 1

Zone B

Rusea's 3 Cambridge 0

Frome 3 Green Island 0

Zone C

Holland 0 Spot Valley 0

William Knibb 1 Muschett 1

Zone D

Grange Hill 4 Little London 0

Zone E

STETHS 8 Black River 0

Maggotty 2 Munro 1

Zone F

Bellfield 0 Manchester 1

Zone G

Alston 0 Holmwood 6

Zone H

Edwin Allen 0 Lennon 2

Clarendon College 5 Thompson Town 0

Zone K

Dinthill 3 Bog Walk 0

Zone M

Garvey Maceo 2 Bustamante 2

Foga Road 1 Glenmuir 6

Zone O

Paul Bogle 6 Robert Lightbourne 0

Seaforth 1 Morant Bay 1