MANY-TIME champions Kingston College (KC) got their ISSA Manning Cup campaign off to a winning start with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Campion College in Group A action at Clovelly Park yesterday.

Jerome Coombs netted twice in the 36th and 60th minutes as KC seized the early initiative and climbed to the top with three points, the same as Waterford High who defeated Jose Marti 2-0.

Group A favourites St George’s College were inactive and won’t be in action until Tuesday when they travel to Waterford High.

It was a lukewarm performance by KC, especially playing at home against a weak Campion College unit that offered little in attack.

But it was through a poor attempt at clearing the ball by a Campion College defender that Coombs got his leg on the ball and he made no mistake by easily slotting past the advancing goalkeeper Christopher Lynch for his first.

Coombs was on hand again, this time in the 60th minute, and fired home following a neat and patient build-up by KC.

Head coach Lenworth Hyde Snr was pleased with the win.

“Well, I am satisfied with the three points, but I think we could have played much better,” said Hyde.

Meanwhile, Campion College’s head coach Robert Mowatt, was a bit disappointed but believes his team showed enough that they will be competitive this season.

“A little slip-up and tired legs reached us, but away from that we held our own,” he said.

In other action, Charlie Smith jumped to the top of Group B with three points following a 1-0 win over Mona High courtesy of a Bebeto McDonald penalty.

Excelsior High dropped two crucial points in their 0-0 draw with Cumberland High as both teams gained a point for their effort.

In Group C, Innswood High came from behind to beat Tivoli Gardens High 2-1 at Chedwin Park, while Denham Town edged St Mary’s College 2-1. Ardenne High also got off to a winning start with a 1-0 win over Edith Dalton James High.

Holy Trinity High edged Spanish Town 1-0 in Group E, while Trench Town registered a 2-1 victory over Clan Carthy High at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.

Rameish McKnight netted a hat-trick as Camperdown scored a 3-1 win over Dunoon Technical in Group D as Bridgeport High slipped to a 1-2 defeat to Greater Portmore High. Haile Selassie High clipped Papine High 2-1.