Adrian Frater, News Editor

William Knibb's Anthony Fraser (left) battles for possession of the ball with Rusea's Roy Stephenson (right) in yesterday's daCosta Cup inter-zone game between the sides at Jarrett Park. Rusea's won 4-2. - Photo by Adrian Frater

WESTERN BUREAU:

NEWLY-CROWNED Ben Francis Cup champions Frome Technical High School added impetus to their bid for the rural double yesterday when goals by Keswick Samuel and substitute Clovis Crooks gave them a 2-0 win over Herbert Morrison in their Group Two inter-zone fixture at Jarrett Park.

"We did not play all that well today as the players seemed somewhat jaded after Saturday's Ben Francis Cup final against Clarendon College," said Frome's coach, Boysie Nicholson. "We got the goals late in the game, but the important thing was that came away with full points."

In the second game of the Jarrett Park double-header, eight-times champions Rusea's, through three first-half goals, defeated William Knibb 4-2 in their Group One game.

Demar Lawrence, Andre Atkinson (two) and Roydel Moncrieffe got Rusea's goals while Cordell Simpson got both goals for William Knibb.

Other winners

In other games yesterday, Petersfield and Cedric Titus drew 1-1, Charlemont beat Oracabessa 4-0, Bog Walk defeated Tacky 5-0, Ocho Rios blanked Grange Hill 4-0, Spaldings downed Manchester High 3-0, Denbigh beat Munro 2-0, Clarendon College outscored St. Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) 3-1, Glenmuir clipped Port Antonio 2-1 while Holmwood and DeCarteret drew 0-0.

In the feature game at Jarrett Park, Frome ran into stiff resistance against well-rested Herbert Morrison and although they show better technical skills, they had problems piercing the defence of the Montego Bay team.

They had a good early chance in the 16th minute when Obian Woodbine dribbled clear but fired wide.

Midway through the half, Woodbine wasted another chance in the 21st minute when he fired just wide from close range.

Seven minutes later, Frome were denied by the brilliance of Herbert Morrison's goalkeeper, Tiano Allen, who went full stretch to parry a cracking volley from Sedane McCreath.

After surviving several early second-half flurries from Herbert Morrison, Frome regain control and were finally rewarded when, on a dazzling break on the right flank, Woodbine dropped a superb cross into the path of Samuels who fired into the roof of the net, making the score 1-0.

With time running out, Frome ensured that there would be no way back for Herbert Morrison on the stroke of full-time when Crooks pounced on a cross inside the goal area and nodded the ball in, making the final score 2-0.

In the first game, Rusea's started like a house on fire, pelting the William Knibb defence with all-out attack.

They took the lead in the 21st minute when Lawrence's fabulous 40-yard shot flew over the goalkeeper's head, making the score 1-0.

Two minutes later, it was 2-0 when Atkinson pounced on a cross before the goal and slotted home.

With William Knibb looking rather ragged and uncertain, Rusea's completed a fine first half when Moncrieffe dribbled through the defence and booted home gleefully, making the half-time score 3-0.

Hammered home win

In the second half, William Knibb started out looking a better team and, after a series of well-coordinated attacks, they finally got on the scoresheet in the 70th minute when the burly Cordell Simpson nodded home, making the score 3-1.

Simpson was again on target in the 84th minute when he nodded past goalkeeper Mario Distin for the second time.

However, on the stroke of full time, Rusea's put the result beyond doubt when Horace Maxwell dribbled through the defence and then sent Atkinson clear. He calmly fired home, making the final score 4-2.

Frome 2 Herbert Morrison 0

Rusea's 4 William Knibb 2

Petersfield 1 Cedric Titus 1

Charlemont 4 Oracabessa 0

Bog Walk 5 Tacky 0

Ocho Rios 4 Grange Hill 0

Spaldings 3 Manchester 0

Denbigh 2 Munro 0

Clarendon College 3 STETHS 1

Glenmuir 2 Port Antonio 1

Holmwood 0 Decarteret 0