Two-time champions Bridgeport High will have their hands full in Group D containing the likes of Camperdown High, Dunoon Technical and Greater Portmore High in what is expected to be a tough zone, which also includes Haile Selassie and Papine High Schools.

This group is the closest thing to a ‘group of death’, mainly because it consists of three former champions in three-time winners Camperdown (1978, 79, 1982); their closest neighbours a few roads away in Dunoon Technical, champion in 1988, and Bridgeport High, winners in 2001 and 2006.

Camperdown High gave a good account of themselves last season in a tough group involving St George’s College and Charlie Smith and finished just three points behind in third spot, thus narrowly missing out on a second round berth.

This year, a lot is expected once again of the east Kingston-based outfit coached by Christopher Bender, and the team should be there at the death, and could even go one better and advance to the second round.

The Portmore-based Bridgeport High played second fiddle to eventual champions Jamaica College (JC) in the first round last year, finishing eight points adrift with 22, inclusive of seven wins, two defeats and a draw from 10 games.

Having advanced to the second round, Bridgeport ended the in second spot behind Manning Cup finalists Wolmer’s Boys and ahead of Norman Manley High and Holy Trinity High in a very competitive group.

Bridgeport’s head coach Tyrone Roberts said despite rebuilding the team this year, he is expecting a good showing nevertheless. “We have a very young team this year and I expect them to perform well.

“But they are very young and anything can happen. I expect them to make it to the second round and if we are lucky maybe further,” he added.

According to Roberts, Bridgeport have retained four starting players and he expects some tough games from Camperdown and Greater Portmore, who he knows are playing well, though he admitted not knowing much about the Dunoon team.

That is understandable because Dunoon Technical are making a return to the Manning Cup after missing the last season and new coach Lamar Nelson will have a difficult task getting the east Kingston-based school back to those glory days under the guidance of Carlton ‘Big Carl’ Smith.

But the fly in the ointment in Group D could very well be a team miles away by the name of Greater Portmore High school.

Last season they gave the more fancied Kingston College (KC) a scare in the battle for second spot in Group F.

The group was won by Spanish Town with 19 points with KC on 16 points and Greater Portmore third on 12 points from eight matches. They finished ahead of Eltham High and this could be the year that Greater Portmore make their mark and upset the applecart.

Not much is expected of either Haile Selassie High or Papine High, who have won just one game each last season. But whether or not they have made the necessary improvement, only time will tell.

Tuesday, October 7 will be the final group games and group favourites Bridgeport High and Camperdown High are expected seal their places into the next round, but don’t be surprised if Greater Portmore spoil the party.