Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

Defending champions Munro College's boys and Excelsior High's girls registered victories in the opening games of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Associa-tions (ISSA) Jamaica Hockey Federation (JHF) boys Under-19 competition at the Mona Astro Turf on Monday.

A 10th-minute goal from Sasha-Gaye Thomas carried Excelsior to a 1-0 victory over Papine while Munro, led by a brace from Gerren Rowe (15th, 39th) and another goal from Christopher Atkinson (20th), defeated Campion College 3-0.

Munro's coach, Fitzroy Rowe, said: "Basically, I think that we played below par but a win is a win any way you take it. As the defending champions, I expected us to start off a lot better than this."

Devon Reid, coach of Campion College, said: "I think that it basically comes down to the lack of sufficient training. My guys have been missing most of the training since year so I really didn't expected much from this."

As action continued yesterday, Papine defeated Excelsior 2-0 with goals from Orane Reid (ninthth) and Julian Lumsden (45th).

In today's matches, Wolmer's play St. Hugh's at 2:00 p.m., Jamaica College take on Tivoli at 3:15 p.m. and Alpha challenge Excelsior at 4:30 p.m.