Cornwall College's hat-trick scorer, Radcliff Hall (closer to ball), breaks away from a defender grabbing at his shirt during yesterday's daCosta Cup encounter at home. Cornwall won 4-0. - photo by Adrian Frater

Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

THE BATTLE for honours in Zone A of the ISSA/Pepsi/ Digicel daCosta Cup continues to be a ding-dong affair as joint leaders Cornwall College and St. James High School emerged victorious yesterday to advance to nine points after three games.

Cornwall College were in rampant form against Anchovy on their home turf as they emerged 4-0 winners courtesy of a hat-trick from striker Radcliff Hall - his sixth goal of the season - and a penalty from skipper Edward Campbell.

In their game against William Knibb at Jarrett Park, St. James High, behind a double strike by Nicholi Barrett, who is responsible for all six goals scored by his team this season, gave them a 2-0 triumph.

Most likely contenders

Rusea's, who are tipped as the mostly likely contenders to dethrone champions Glenmuir, gave another classy display yesterday, blanking Cambridge 5-0. Roydel Moncrieffe (two goals), Andre Atkinson (two) and Nicholas Ebanks were the goal-scorers for the Hanover team.

"It was another decent performance by the boys as they are clearly responding to what they are being taught by the coaching staff," said assistant coach Anthony 'Follies' Williams. "I think we are basically on target in terms of our projections for the season," he said.

The competition will continue this afternoon with champions Glenmuir High gunning for their third win in as many starts when they play away to joint Zone I leaders Garvey Maceo in one of 13 games.

The Jackie Walters-coached Glenmuir, who started their title defence with an emphatic 6-2 win, were victorious but not impressive in their next game against Central, which they won 1-0. In addition to improving on their six points, they will be aiming for another first-rate performance today.

Solid resistance

However, Garvey Maceo which had good 4-1 and 5-0 wins over Tacius Golding and Bustamante in their two outings, are expected to put up solid resistance as taking the champions' scalp would be a major accomplishment.

The Zone E showdown between third-placed St. Elizabeth Tech-nical High School, on three points, and second-placed Black River (four) should be one of today's key encounters as the teams seek to pull closer to runaway group leaders Munro College (nine), who are idle today.

TODAY'S GAMES

(Home teams listed first)

Zone E:

Maggotty vs Newell, Black River vs STETHS

Zone H:

Vere vs Claude McKay, Thompson Town vs Clarendon College, Lennon vs Denbigh

Zone I:

Garvey Maceo vs Glenmuir, Central vs Old Harbour

Zone K:

Tacky vs Islington, St. Mary Tech vs Iona, Brimmervale vs St. Mary High,

Oracabessa vs Annotto Bay.

Zone L (B):

Morant Bay vs St. Thomas Tech, Paul Bogle vs Yallahs.

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

Zone A:

St. James 2 William Knibb -0, Irwin 0 Herbert Morrison 0, Cornwall College 4 Anchovy 0.

Zone B:

Knockalva 0 Merlene Ottey 2, Rusea's 5 Cambridge 0, Green Island 1 Frome 3.

Zone C:

Manning's 0 Petersfield 2, Grange Hill 5 Maud McLeod 0, Godfrey Stewart 6 Little London 0.

Zone D:

Marcus Garvey 1 Cedric Titus 2, A' Gallimore 0 Ocho Rios 2.

Zone F:

Belair 1 Manchester 2, DeCarteret 3 Porus 0.

Zone G:

Spalding 12 Albert Town 0, Christiana 1 Holmwood 3.

Zone J:

Ewarton 2 Glengoffe 3, Dinthill 2 McGrath 0, Bog Walk 0 Charlemont 0.

Zone L (A):

Titchfield 0 Happy Grove 0, Fair Prospect 2 Port Antonio 2.