MAY PEN, Clarendon — Clarendon College remain the team to beat in this season’s ISSA/FLOW daCosta Cup competition after they tamed the free-scoring Manchester High 1-0 in their opening inter-zone match in May Pen yesterday.

Tremaine Williamson headed the winner for defending champions on the hour, the lanky defender ghosting past his markers to connect with an in-swinging corner.

Manchester High, who dazzled in the first round with a chart-topping 68 goals, had sufficient chances here to at least pull level. But, as coach Donovan Duckie admitted, they were poor in front of goal.

The defeat represents their first dropped points of the season and, with Munro College beating Spalding High 3-2 in the zone’s other game, it has left them playing catch up in what has been dubbed the ‘group of death’.

For Clarendon College, the win was confirmation of their intent to retain their title.

They played with the authority befitting their status, and except for a few lapses at the back in the first half, they were never really second best.

And now that they have defused one threat, Coach Paul ‘Tegat’ Davis has switched focus to their next assignment against Spalding on Saturday.

“The aim is to win the next game and secure our place in the FLOW Cup,” he said, adding that his team delivered what was expected of them.

Meanwhile, Ewarton High rallied from a goal down to clip Denbigh High 2-1 in their opening inter-zone round fixture in this season’s ISSA/FLOW daCosta Cup competition.

Playing the first game of the double-header at the recently opened Middlesex Complex, Denbigh opened the scoring on 21 minutes when Tyrone Rhuce fired home from the penalty spot.

Ewarton responded in the 47th through Noel Cooper’s strike and nicked the winner just before the hour when Tajay Bailey nudged home at the near post.