Kingston College, Jamaica College rivalry highlights semis

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Traditional powerhouse teams, Jamaica College (JC) and Kingston College (KC), will desperately try to seize the moment, as they continue their journey to break a very long title drought in today's ISSA/Pepsi/-Digicel semi-finals at 3:00 p.m. at the Harbour View Mini Stadium.

In the first game of the double-header Portmore teams Waterford and defending champions Bridgeport will cross swords at 1:00 p.m.

It has been a long and bitter rivalry between two of the most successful teams in schoolboy football. JC hold an unprecedented 19 titles, while KC are third with 14.

As far back as 1963, it was the boys from North Street who ended a three-year spell of dominance for the dark blues, to lift their first title. The Old Hope Road team returned the favour in 1968, snapping KC's three years of dominance. However, they were shocked by the Fortis team again in 1975, held off by a single early goal, when they looked favourites to defend their title.

In that year, KC went on to win the Manning, Walker Cup and Olivier Shield triple.

'Humdinger of a game'

"Whenever the two teams meet, it's always a humdinger, I expect that today's game will be the same and the guys are all charged up for the encounter," said KC's coach Wayne Fairclough.

Fairclough's KC will start at a disadvantage today with both strikers - Chris Harrison and Rohan Roye -- out on cards.

In addition to that, branded one of the pre-season teams to beat, JC showed their class in booking a spot in the final four trouncing title holder's Bridgeport 4-0.

"We aren't really thinking about the game or the opponent, we are just going out there to win and if we play well tomorrow we will," was the view of JC coach Alfred Henry.

In the day's early encounter, an ever-improving Waterford will look to continue their run in the competition as they look to get by Bridgeport.

Despite losing to JC, Bridgeport booked their spot as the best second place team and their coach, Anthony Patrick, believes they are ready to make use of a second opportunity.

Waterford have not lost a match since the start of the second round, scoring wins over Excelsior, Eltham and Camperdown in group two.