Walker Cup three-peat still on

ST CATHERINE High School continue their hunt for a three-peat of Walker Cup titles when they face off against Haile Selassie in one quarterfinal at the Prison Oval today starting at 3 p.m.

The St John’s Road-based school won their first schoolboy football title after they defeated Excelsior in the 2019 final, and they repeated the feat last season against Kingston Technical.

To get to this stage, the Spanish Town school stopped arch-rivals St Jago in their third derby of the season.

The Anthony Patrick-coached team defeated their nemesis in their first Manning Cup meeting of the season but were on the losing end for the return game.

However, in their Walker Cup playoff match they turned the tables to come away with a 2-0 win.

They will be up against first-time Walker Cup participants, Haile Selassie, who made the quarterfinal round of the Manning Cup for the first time in their history.

The Linval Dixon-coached team exited the Manning Cup quarterfinal round after three defeats from their three matches.

However, both teams seem evenly matched and the game should provide a good spectacle.

At Jamaica College, Charlie Smith and Tivoli square off in what has become a perennial rivalry.

The Arnett Gardens-based school holds the upperhand, coming into the game after a win and a draw against the West Kingston school this season.

If the game is anything like their 2-2 draw at Tivoli in the Manning Cup, then it will be worth the watch.

Excelsior against St George’s should also serve up a great contest.

Excelsior went out of the Manning Cup to Haile Selassie but always put on a strong showing in the Walker Cup.

Upon their exit from the Manning Cup quarterfinals, St George’s coach, Neville ‘Bertis’ Bell, declared his intention to secure the knockout prize. According to the coach, his team will be focused on milking the occasion for all its worth.

Campion College against Wolmer’s should also be an entertaining fixture.

Campion coach Eric Rademakers noted that his team, which is also their Colts (U16) team, played a match on Wednesday, and that will make their match today more difficult. But he insists, they understand their situation and will give it their all.

Five-time winners Wolmer’s will be aiming to redeem their season after their quarterfinal exit by wining their first Walker Cup since 2015.

Coach Jerome Waite would also like to end his first season at the Heroes Circle school with a title.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

TODAY’S GAMES

St Catherine v Haile Selassie at Prison Oval

Tivoli v Charlie Smith at JC

Excelsior v St George’s at St Georges

Campion v Wolmer’s at Calabar

All games begin at 3 p.m.*