Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

EXCEPT FOR the Zone E game between Newell and St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), the ISSA/ Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup circuit was devoid of action yesterday as heavy rain across the island ruled out play in seven of the eight scheduled games.

Yesterday's six Manning Cup fixtures were also abandoned.

"The weather is affecting our schedule in a significant manner and we will definitely have to sit down and look at the situation," said Dr. Walton Small, the president of the Inter Secondary School Sports Association (ISSA).

Priorities

"We might have to prioritise in regards to the playing of those games that are likely to impact on the outcome of the respective zones," said Small. "We might even have to look at playing some doubleheaders where possible."

With the current backlog of games, Small said the number of playing days a week per team could be increased to three until the situation returned to normal.

The competition, which is being contested by 76 teams across 13 groups, is now interestingly poised as with the first round of preliminary games now completed, the race for inter-zone places in all the zones is still open.

Zone A leads

In Zone A, St. James High, with 13 points from six games lead the standings over former champions Cornwall College, who have 12 points from five. Herbert Morrison are third with eight from five.

Frome Technical, with the maximum 15 points from five games, lead Zone B mathematically over Rusea's, who also have 15 points, but from six games. They seem poised to take the group's two inter-zone slots as Merlene Ottey, their closest rivals, are only on six points.

Zone C sees leaders Grange Hill (14), Petersfield (11) and Godfrey Stewart (11) locked in a hot three-way battle for group honours, Zone B looks a done deal with joint group leaders Cedric Titus and Ocho Rios, on 13 points each, looking safe for the two inter-zone places.

In Zone E, Munro College, on 19, have opened some daylight between themselves and second-place STETHS (12), who in turn have a five-point leader over third-placed Black River.

Manchester, with a perfect 100 per cent win record from four games and second-placed Bellefield (10) are in control in Zone F.

No serious challenge

While Spalding, with four wins from four starts; and second-placed Holmwood, with nine points from four games, are not being seriously challenged in Zone G, Zone H is quite hot with Clarendon College (21), Lennon (19) and Denbigh (18) locked in a tense battle for honours.

In Zone I, Garvey Maceo, with 16 points from six games.