Top 4 take aim at Manning Cup Final
Defending champions Jamaica College (JC) will try to keep their four-title dream alive when they tackle Camperdown High in the semi-final of the ISSA/LIME Manning Cup at Stadium East field starting at 3:00 pm today.
In the other semi-final scheduled for 1:00 pm, Wolmer’s Boys take on Charlie Smith, as both teams aim to end their long drought with a spot in the final set for next Saturday.
In the last seven years, only two schools — JC and St George’s College — have won the Manning Cup, with Camperdown, Charlie Smith and Wolmer’s yearning to taste for more than 19 years.
Charlie Smith last won the title in 1995; Wolmer’s one year earlier in 1994 and Camperdown a staggering 32 years back to 1982.
All three will be hoping to change that and it starts with the Christopher Bender-coached Camperdown, who face the JC juggernaut.
JC, the all-island champions, having waited 33 years before they won in 2007, have won two times more in 2010 and 2013.
Having already tucked away the inaugural LIME Super Cup and the $1m bounty, JC will put their Manning Cup crown on the line against an improving and dangerous Camperdown team.
JC have brushed aside everything in front of them and it will take a brave punter to bet against them adding Camperdown to that list.
JC will start firm favourites to advance to yet another Manning Cup final, but Camperdown cannot be taken lightly.
Camperdown turned up the heat and brushed aside St Jago 1-0 and KC 2-0 before battling to a 2-2 draw with Hydel High and might just be peaking at the right time and could upset the applecart.
But that Camperdown backline will have their hands full containing the marauding Junior Flemmings, Raffique Bryan and Donovan Dawkins upfront and that will be key to both teams’ success.
Meanwhile, an even more intriguing match-up will be between Wolmer’s Boys and Charlie Smith in the curtain-raiser.
Wolmer’s, with the talented Jaheel Hyde and Corey Bennett, have announced themselves as serious title contenders with two thumping 3-0 wins over St George’s College Super Cup and their crucial second-round Manning Cup Group H decider.
But Charlie Smith have quietly moved into the semi-final a dangerous team, having recorded good 5-0 and 3-0 wins over Vauxhall High and Norman Manley, respectively. The Jerome Waite-coached lads have been somewhat under the radar which could benefit them tremendously.
JC and Wolmer’s are favourites to set up an interesting final, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the underdogs, Camperdown and Charlie Smith, upset the applecart and book their spots in the final set for November 22.