Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

RUSEA'S ADDED another chapter to their impressive start to the 2008 ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup season yesterday when they defeated brash newcomers Hopewell High 2-0 in their much-anticipated Zone B fixture in Lucea.

In an efficient performance, Rusea's got both goals from the in-form Tremain Perry, who struck in each half.

Rusea's margin of victory would have been wider had not skipper Domain Thompson missed from the penalty spot late in the second half.

"It was a satisfying performance from the team today as there was very little to complain about," said Rusea's coach, Anthony 'Follies' Williams. "It is good that we have completed the first round without losing a game."

Intriguing affair

In other high-profile games yesterday, the three big guns in Zone E all scored good victories as the battle for the group's two inter-zone places continues to be an intriguing affair.

Third-place Munro College recorded a 12-0 win against BB Coke to move to 10 points, St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) spanked Black River7-1 to stay in second place on 15 points, while leaders Lacovia jumped to 16 points with a 1-0 win against Balaclava.

Goal spree

In their mauling of BB Coke, the Hopeton Gilchrist-coached Munro College, who were coming off an embarrassing 3-0 loss to STETHS in their last game, were led on their goal spree by Jermaine Saams and Odane Reid, who both got hat-tricks.

In their win against the much-hyped Hopewell High, Rusea's took the lead in the 36th minute when Perry's dazzling dribble took him past two defenders and goalkeeper Samarco Gayle before he cracked a low shot into the goal, making the half-time score 1-0.

Perry was to repeat his heroics in the 78th minute as he again waltzed through the Hopewell defence and fired home easily, making the score 2-0.

Yesterday's results

Zone B

Green Island 1 Anchovy 0, Merlene Ottey 2 Knockalva 2, Rusea's 2 Hopewell 0.

Zone D

Marcus Garvey 4 York Castle 4-1, Brown's Town 1 Ocho Rios 0, A. Gallimore 1 Cedric Titus 1.

Zone E

Lacovia 1 Balaclava 0, STETHS 7 Black River 1, Munro 12 BB Coke 0.Zone H: Denbigh 1 Vere 0.

TODAY'S GAMES

Zone A

St James vs Cornwall College at Jarrett Park, Maldon vs Herbert Morrison at Maldon, Green Pond vs Irwin at Green Pond.

Zone C

Mannings vs Maud McLeod at Mannings, Grange Hill vs Godfrey Stewart at Grange Hill.

Zone F

DeCarteret vs Bellefield at DeCarteret, Cross Keys vs Belair at Cross Keys, Porus vs Manchester at Porus.

Zone G

Edwin Allen vs Holmwood at Edwin Allen, Mile Gully vs Knox at Mile Gully, Christiana vs Spalding at Christiana.

Zone I

Central High vs Old Harbour at Central, Garvey Maceo vs Tacious at Effortville Community Centre, Kemps Hill vs Glenmuir at Kemps Hills.

Zone J

McGrath vs Charlemont at Charlemont, Glengoffe vs Bog Walk at Glengoffe, Dinthill vs Ewarton at Dinthill.

Zone K

Iona vs Islington at Rio Nuevo, Brimmervale vs Tacky at Brimmervale, St Mary High vs Annotto Bay, St Mary Tech vs Oracabessa.