CATHERINE HALL, St James — Cornwall College (CC) survived an inspired Rusea’s High team to qualify for the semi-finals of the Inter-secondary Schools’ Sports Association/FLOW Super Cup competition with a gritty 4-3 penalty kicks win, after the teams had played out a 1-1 draw after 110 minutes of regulation and extra time at a packed Montego Bay Sports Complex on Saturday night, handing Rusea’s their first loss in 11 games.

Jourdaine Fletcher gave CC the lead after 11 minutes with his fourth of the competition — joint leader with Clarendon College’s Creggton Charlton, and Wolmer’s Boys’ Alphanso Gooden — while Daniel Reid levelled for Rusea’s High in the 27th minute. Despite many scoring chances that were created, neither team was able to add to the tally.

In the shoot-out, all four CC efforts were perfect — Peter-Lee Vassell, Fletcher, Michael Heaven and Dwayne Harding — while Ranaldo Thompson, Deshane Beckford and Javoy McLeod were on target for Rusea’s, but Sachin Wilmot hit the upright with his shot and Nazime Matalie sent his effort wide.

CC, who had their perfect 15-game win record in all competitions snapped, but extended that unbeaten record to 16, joined two other daCosta Cup teams — Clarendon College and St Elizabeth Technical High School — and the lone Manning Cup team Wolmer’s Boys’ in the semi-finals slated for this Saturday and Sabina Park.

The much hyped all-daCosta Cup match-up between the long-time fierce western rivals failed to live up to expectations in terms of quality, the action was intense from the start in front of a massive crowd.

CC’s coach Dr Dean Weatherly was a relieved man after his team’s toughest game of the season, having been held to less than two goals for the first time. “We were put on the back foot for long periods in this game, but we got the scoring chances,” he admitted.

“We fell short in some areas and will have to regroup,” Dr Weatherly said, before adding: “The boys are tired, it has been a long season, but tonight they showed ‘a never give up spirit’, but they have bonded as a team, as a unit.”

Rusea’s High’s Head Coach Aaron Lawrence was pleased with his team’s effort on the pitch. “This was our best competition, but we played well; we fought all the way and never eased up.”

He admitted he was disappointed with the result of the game, but insisted the players tried their best.

Fletcher, who is having his best season in terms of goals scored, notched his 21st of the season and sent the scores of CC fans into celebrations when he opened the scoring after rounding goalkeeper Michael Edmonds, sending a low, hard shot into the far corner.

Reid responded by beating the CC goalkeeper Jamario Hines at his near left post.

In the second half Rusea’s looked the more likely to score, with CC pulling Vassell back into midfield with 15-year-old Garnett Hudson partnering Fletcher upfront.

Shawn Bradford, Leonardo Fogarthy and Beckford, who was a late second-half substitute, all came perilously close to giving Rusea’s High the go-ahead goal but all wasted their chances.

At the other end, Fletcher, who was close-marked all night by Raheem Alcock, was responsible for wasting two gilt-edged chances, one in the first period of extra time.