Western Bureau:

When the 2009 ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup started, not many persons would have given Balaclava High School a chance to hold their own in Zone E against former champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), Munro College and Lacovia High, semi-finalists in 2008.

However, to the absolute surprise of many, the Balaclava team had the enviable distinction of leading the zone at the end of the first round of preliminary games, sailing through unbeaten in seven games, inclusive of credible 0-0 and 1-1 draws against STETHS and Munro, respectively.

"We are not surprised, this is something we have been working towards," said Rohan Forbes, the coach of the Balaclava team. "The entire school family and the wider Balaclava community are solidly behind us and we are working hard not to disappoint them."

While Balaclava have since lost their unbeaten record in a 3-0 loss to STETHS, coach Forbes believes that, having invested so much in building a solid programme over the past two years, his team has the capacity to create a major impact on the competition this year.

"I strongly believe we will make it to the inter-zone round because we have been playing quite well," Forbes said. "After drawing 0-0 with STETHS in our first game, it suddenly dawned on me that we could hold our own in this competition."

Although his players started the season as virtual unknowns, Forbes said he is thrilled with the manner in which they have been acquitting themselves against the players from the more established schools.

Forbes pleased

"I am pleased with my players, especially Nicholas Robinson, André Mitchell and goalkeeper Keithon Headley," stated Forbes. "In fact, the entire team deserves commendation for their first round performance."

While it will take much more than a good first round to win the daCosta Cup, coach Forbes, who conceded that his bench is somewhat weak, still believes that once his main players stay healthy, the sky is the limit.

lot of confidence

"While I have no plans to count my chickens before they are hatched, I have a lot of confidence in this team and believe we can definitely win the daCosta Cup," said Forbes. "Our first objective is to advance to the inter-zone round and I am positive we will get there."

While their loss to STETHS on Wednesday has set them back somewhat, coach Forbes believes they are still handily placed, with Munro and STETHS leading the group with 16 points each and Balaclava two points back on 14.

"We have three games to complete our fixture and once we win all three games we should qualify for the inter-zone round," said Forbes. "Balaclava have never won anything major and we want to change that this year."

- Adrian Frater