Rusea's Williams

Western Bureau:

Four-time champions Rusea's High School booked themselves a date with reigning champions St James High in Saturday's quarter-final round of the 2009 Ben Francis Knock-Out competition, when they scored a 1-0 win against Marcus Garvey Technical in yesterday's first-round fixture at Jarrett Park.

On an afternoon which featured four first-round games, Manchester High School, Lennon High and Paul Bogle also emerged first-round winners over Mannings School, Spaldings High and Annotto Bay High, respectively.

In the game at Jarrett Park, both teams gave below-par performances, as while they created chances they were technically lacking before the goal, which resulted in very few qua-lity chances being created.

Biggest winners

However, Rusea's lone strike, which came courtesy of Brian Brown, was a superb free kick that had a mark of quality.

"It was a reasonably good performance from the team and we're happy with the final result," said Rusea's coach, Anthony 'Follies' Wiliams. "While the team is somewhat inexperienced we will be giving our all in every game."

At the Frome Sports Ground in Westmoreland, Zone F champions Manchester High marched into the competition's quarter-finals at the expense of their Zone C counterparts, Manning's High, who they blanked 2-0.

In a game they dominated, the Barry Watson-coached Manchester High scored through Romaine Thomas and Jason Johnson.

Zone H kingpins Lennon High were the biggest winners of the day, brushing away the challenge of last year's beaten daCosta Cup finalist, Spaldings High, the Zone G champion. Top marksman Ewan Grandison (2) and Justin Johnson got the goals for Lennon, who won 3-0.

"It was a pleasing performance by the boys. We dominated completely and the result was completely justified," said Lennon's coach, Merron Gordon. "We are a confident team and we are already looking forward to our next game with much optimism."

In what could be considered a somewhat surprising result, Zone L champions Paul Bogle handed the previously unbeaten Zone K kingpins, Annotto Bay High, a 2-0 defeat. Rafiek Green and Janel Lee were the heroes for the Paul Bogle team, getting the two goals.

Whopping defeat

In outstanding daCosta Cup games played yesterday, Munro College completed their fixture with a whopping 9-0 win against Newell to seal their place in the Ben Francis KO as the Zone E champions.

Bog Walk, who were battling Charlemont for the second inter-zone place from Zone J, confirmed their spot with a 4-1 win over McGrath, while St Mary Technical left St Mary High in the dark and out of the competition, when they swamped Iona 8-1 to claim the last available spot and join Annotto Bay as the inter-zone qualifiers from Zone K.