St James High School's Daniel Foote (right) stretching for the ball ahead of the advancing Jhovany Fantazzi of Cornwall College in the first-round daCosta Cup clash between the two teams. Cornwall College won 1-0. - Photo by Adrian Frater

Western Bureau:

After five weeks of action, the 2009 ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup, which started with 77 teams in 12 zones, is now on in earnest as the various teams set their sights on both the coveted cup and the $175,000 winner's purse.

While the competition has lost Maldon High, Merlene Ottey, Knockalva, Maggotty and B.B. Coke to late withdrawals, the intensity has not diminished as the other 72 teams are generating fresh interest on match days.

As was anticipated, the established teams, especially the former champions, have been the dominant ones in the race for the two inter-zone places from each group, as well as a Ben Francis Knockout slot, which will go to each zone winner.

Except for Zone I, where Old Harbour (15) currently enjoy a narrow lead over former champions Garvey Maceo (14) and Glenmuir (13), former champions are in charge in all the other zones (A, B, C, E, H and J).

St James High leading

In Zone A, which features reigning champion St James High, many-time winners Cornwall College have the best record, having won all six games they have played, including a 1-0 win against St James. However, St James High, who have played two games more than Cornwall, currently lead the group with 21 points.

However, should Cornwall College win all their remaining games, including the return game against St James, they win the group and take its lone Ben Francis Knockout slot. Both teams have already qualified for the competition's inter-zone round.

"Our aim from here on is to win every single game," said Pastor Hugh Solomon, St James High coach. "I am confident that we will do just that."

Over in Zone E, where the little-known Balaclava High surprisingly led after the first round, former champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and Munro College are both looking good and are joint group leaders on 16 points each. However, with Balaclava expected to rebound, the battle for the two inter-zone places could go down to the wire.

class act

Despite campaigning in a somewhat tame Zone J, former champions Dinthill Technical look a class act with an impressive nine-game unbeaten streak. With memories of the 1979 and 1981 successes probably fading fast, they could well see their seven wins and two draws as a perfect launching pad for another assault on the title.

Like last year when they surprisingly made the daCosta Cup final, Spaldings High have been flawlessly marching through Zone G. With six wins from six starts and an impressive 23 for and one against record, Spaldings must fancy their chances of going all the way this year.

"Our aim is to go one better than last year," said Spalding's coach Courtney Jackson. "We know what it is to make the final so now we want to experience winning."

With so many teams looking impressive, fans should be in for many more exciting games before the competition folds with its championship game on Saturday, December 5.