Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

ZONE E big guns Munro College and St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) started their campaigns in the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup with 1-0 and 3-1 wins over Lacovia and Newell, respectively, yesterday.

However, it was Clarendon College who had the biggest win of the day, spanking Claude McKay 8-0 in their Zone H fixture.

Kurt Brooks-coached STETHS secured victory through goals from Kamar Pasco, Traverse Campbell and Deshorn Brown, while Munro College, under new coach Hopeton Gilchrist, sealed their win through a first-half strike by Kenard Brown. "We took some time to settle, so the first half was not as good as we had expected," said the STETHS coach.

"However, in the second half, the players lifted their game and we looked much better."

In other games played yesterday, former champions Vere Technical and Lennon ended 2-2 in one of the three Zone H games, while Denbigh defeated Kellitts 2-0.

In Zone L (B), the Yallahs and St. Thomas Technical game ended in a 0-0 draw, but not before four players were shown the red card for various offences. In the other game in the group, Seaforth showed good form in handing Morant Bay a 3-1 defeat.

The competition will continue this afternoon with 25 games spread out across nine zones. While champions Glernmuir will be idle, former champions Rusea's, who have been dazzling in practice games, will bow into action in a much-anticipated Zone B clash against Green Island.

Capable

"We have more than 80 per cent of last year's team," said Anthony 'Follies' Williams, the assistant coach of Rusea's. "If our practice- game results are anything to go by, I believe this team is quite capable of going all the way."

Rusea's will be campaigning alongside former champions Frome Technical, Green Island, Cambridge, Merlene Ottey and Knockalva. The Boysie Nicholson-coached Frome won the zone last year ahead of Rusea's.

In other games that will be closely watched, the Zone A Montego Bay derby between Herbert Morrison and St. James High promises to be an intriguing contest based on the intense rivalry between the two schools in recent years. So should the Zone C clash between Grange Hill and Godfrey Stewart and the top-of-the-table Zone K clash between Annotto Bay and Brimmervale. Cornwall College, who started their defence with a 2-0 win against William Knibb last Saturday, will be among the teams gunning for a second win in what Dr. Dean Weatherley said is an all-out bid to get a record 12th lien on the coveted title.TODAY'S GAMES(Home teams listed first)Zone A: Irwin vs Cornwall College, William Knibb vs Anchovy, Herbert Morrison vs St. James.Zone B: Cambridge vs Merlene Ottey, Rusea's vs Green Island, Knockalva vs Frome.Zone C: Maud McLeod vs Petersfield, Grange Hill vs Godfrey Stewart, Mannings vs Little London.Zone D: Cedric Titus vs York Castle, BrownÕs Town vs Ocho Rios, Marcus Garvey vs Aabuthnott Gallimore.Zone F: Porus vs Manchester, Decarteret vs Bellefield.Zone G: Knox vs Albert Town, Spauding vs Holmwood.

Zone I: Bustamante vs Old Harbour, Tacius Golding vs Garvey Maceo.

Zone J: McGrath vs Glengoffe, Dinthill vs Bog Walk, Ewarton vs Charlemont.Zone K: Oracabessa vs Iona, Islington vs St. Mary High, Annotto Bay vs Brimmervale, Tacky vs St. Mary Technical.YESTERDAY'S RESULTSZone E: Munro d. Lacovia 1-0, STETHS d. Newell 3-1.Zone H: Clarendon d. Claude McKay 8-0, Lennon drew with Vere 2-2, Denbigh d. Kellits 2-0.Zone L (B): Seaforth d. Morant Bay 3-1, Yallahs drew with St. Thomas Technical ñ 00.