Defending champions St George's College edged Eltham High 1-0 in their Group F top-of-the-table clash in the ISSA/ Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup competition at Eltham yesterday.

In the group's other games, Charlie Smith beat Ascot 2-1 and Kingston Technical stopped St Mary's College 2-1.

St George's College and Eltham are now tied atop the standings with 13 points. However, St George's have the game in hand. Both teams are followed by Charlie Smith (10), Ascot (seven) and St Mary's College (three).

Easy 2-0 victory

In Group C, former champions Calabar recorded an easy 2-0 victory over hosts Campion College. Richard Lewis (43rd) and substitute Shevaughn Marsh (90th) were the scorers for Calabar. In the group's other games, Excelsior defeated Tarrant 2-0 and Trench Town and Cumberland played to a 0-0 draw.

The Leebert Halliman-coached Excelsior leads the group with 17 points, one ahead of Calabar (16), followed by Trench Town (nine) and Campion College (seven).

Alrick Clarke, coach of Calabar, said he was pleased with his team's efforts.

"I think it was a good performance for us, but we are still not where we want to be as yet," said Clarke. "I believe that this victory will give the guys a lot more confidence because it is one one of the best games we have played so far."

Brian Phillpotts-Brown, coach of Campion, said: "I think it was a tough loss."

Good build-ups

He said the players had good build-ups but were let down by their their final execution.

"However, we are going to continue to press forward because everybody will have to fight for every point against us," Phillpotts-Brown said.

In Group B, St Jago thrashed José Marti 7-0, Norman Manley edged Haile Selassie 1-0, and Kingston College and Ardenne played to a 0-0 draw.