Hydel, Clarendon set sights on Champions Cup final
Published:Tuesday | November 28, 2023 | 12:08 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
HAVING booked spots in the final of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup and ISSA/Digicel daCosta Cup competitions, respectively, both Hydel High and Clarendon College will cross swords in the semi-finals of the ISSA Champions Cup competition today, with match time set for 3 p.m. at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.
Devon Anderson, head coach of Hydel, stated that, having come off a tough Manning Cup semi-final against Kingston College on Saturday, the players were up to yesterday still going through their recovery phase for today’s assignment.
“It has been tedious, to be honest, for the kids. We did work over the weekend, in terms of recovery, and were still in the process up to yesterday. But I think we’ll be okay,” he said.
Anderson stated that while he’s cognisant of the fact that both Hydel and Clarendon College have a similar playing style, he believes the team that makes the least mistakes on the day will march into the final.
“Clarendon College are a championship team and there’s no doubt about that. So, I’m expecting a super semi-final at Arnett Gardens and it won’t be a one-sided match,” he said.
Lenworth Hyde, head coach of Clarendon College, believes that winning the Champions Cup is high on his team’s agenda, and will take serious aim at capturing their second title at this level.
“It’s very high on the agenda, as we have a reason to be here. It’s a trophy at stake, so we have to play for it and we’re going to put our best foot forward and get this one also,” coach Hyde shared.
Like Anderson, Hyde also said the team with the least number of mistakes will indeed book their spot in the final.
“Hydel are a quality team with a good coach, so it’s about who wants it the most on the day and who also makes the least number of mistakes. I think it will also be an entertaining semi-final,” Hyde added.
Kingston College staged a grand fightback against Hydel in the Manning Cup semi-finals last Friday after going 2-0 down, but were beaten 5-4 on penalties in the end. Glenmuir won their daCosta Cup semi-final on penalties but they played on Saturday and Kingston College, who have had an extra day’s rest, could be the fresher of the two teams today.
Today’s semi-final matches:
3 p.m.: Clarendon College vs Hydel (Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex)
5:15 p.m.: Glenmuir vs Kingston College (Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex)