Calabar High School's decisive 2-1 victory over double champions Jamaica College in the Walker Cup final was built on the exceptional performance of striker Victor Douse. With beautifully executed wing-forward cut-ins and surging centre thrusts, Douse scored both goals, including the match-winner in the 42nd-minute. His deft movements, precise finishes, and unwavering alertness capitalised on JC’s defensive missteps, propelling Calabar to their first Walker Cup title and marking a historic moment in the school's soccer legacy.

Published Saturday, December 21,1974 

Calabar win Walker Cup

BEAUTIFULLY conceived wing-forward cut-ins of old-time vintage and surging centre thrusts in the penalty area by striker Victor Douse were the foundation on which Calabar High School defeated double champions Jamaica College 2-1 at the National Stadium yesterday afternoon. The victory secured the Walker Cup for the first time in the school's history and marked their second soccer trophy in their distinguished history.

Operating from the left centre-forward position, Douse put Calabar in the lead in the 17th minute after a triangular movement involving left link Michael Bucknor and outside left David Bailey. The play ended with Douse shaking off a pursuer with a deft body swerve and beating JC’s Donovan Brown with a cannon shot.

Nine minutes later, Jamaica College — winners of the Manning Cup for Corporate Area teams and the Oliver Shield for island-wide supremacy — equalised. Centre-forward Ian Gage persisted in following through on a loose ball, which seemed well-controlled by keeper Dave Stewart, and managed to lift it over and outside the custodian's reach into the goal.

The winning goal in the 42nd minute came from a fatal misunderstanding between JC goalkeeper - captain Donovan Brown and left centre-back Norman Penny-Cooke. While they fumbled, giving a sorry picture of indecisiveness, the alert Douse raced in and put the ball into the net.

Calabar played positive, wide-open attacking soccer, seemingly motivated by the belief that their lives depended on victory. This determination fuelled many brilliant movements, characterised by a blend of speed and neat interchanges.

Jamaica College, in contrast, seemed to lack the drive of recent games. When they realised, about 15 minutes from the end that their dream of taking the triple — a feat last achieved by Keith Tulloch’s Wolmer’s team in 1971 — was slipping away, they resorted to desperate shots. Some of these appeared spectacular but lacked the vital element of direction.

For Jamaica College, it was their fifth loss in a Walker Cup final over the past 14 years, having been defeated in 1961, 1962, 1963, 1968, and now in 1974.

First Since ‘43

For the black-and-green colour bearers from Red Hills Road, it was their first triumph in soccer since they won the Manning Cup in 1943. Their hopes for a first-ever Oliver Shield victory had slipped away that year on a foggy afternoon at Munro College when Lindy Delapenha, Johnny Taylor, Aris, Bobby Young, and skipper Abe Cowan staged a dramatic 5-4 comeback in the last 12 minutes after trailing 1-4.

Mr. Harry Walker, in whose honor the Cup was donated in 1961 by the Headmasters' Conference to recognize his outstanding contributions to secondary school sports, presented the trophy to Calabar skipper Howard yesterday.

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