DEFENDING champions Jamaica College (JC) tackle Norman Manley High in a Group G top-of-the-table clash as the ISSA/LIME Manning Cup intensifies with nine games today.

JC, who lead Group G with maximum six points, hold a two-point lead ahead of second-placed Norman Manley with four points.

JC, the howling title favourites, opened their season with a bang, whipping Jonathan Grant 5-0 then followed up with a close 1-0 victory over St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS). This match against Norman Manley should be their toughest test to date as they look to take a stranglehold on the group.

Third-placed Jonathan Grant, with four points, host a pointless Kingston Technical team and is expected to jump into second spot regardless of what happens in the JC-Norman Manley game.

In another top-of-the-table clash, last season’s beaten finalists Wolmer’s Boys take on Holy Trinity in Group E action at the Bell Chung Oval. Both teams are on six points and are hunting sole leadership of the group.

In the other Group E encounter, Spanish Town High with three points host the pointless Clan Carthy High at the Spanish Town Prison Oval.

Meanwhile, early surprise leader of Group D, Haile Selassie with nine points from three games travel to second-placed Camperdown High, six points from two games, in a crucial game at Alpha Boys School.

In the other Group D match, Bridgeport High on three points play Papine High, while Dunoon Technical host Greater Portmore High.

Highly fancied St George’s College with six points host Jose Marti on three points as Group A starts to take shape. Kingston College, also on six points, play third-placed Waterford High with three points.