Lightning halts Manning Cup

Severe weather conditions once again interrupted yesterday's action in the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup as a number of matches from the day's 15 game slate were called off due to lightning.

In group G, the game between defending champions Kingston College and Dunoon Technical High at Breezy Castle, where the "Purples" were leading 2-0 when lightning flashed around the playing ground 10 minutes into the second half. The referee immediately called the game off and the match will be concluded at a later date decided by ISSA.

Other games that were called off include the Group C fixture between St Catherine High and St Andrew Technical High School with both teams scoreless at half time. The group G, matches between Campion College and Eltham High School with both teams tied at 1-1, and Calabar and St Georges College, which was also called off at half-time without a goal.

The decisions were prompted by Tuesday's incident at Stadium East when the Group E encounter between Wolmer's Boys School and Jamaica College was called off with six minutes remaining when five players were struck by lightning.

In a statement released by ISSA president Keith Wellington yesterday, he confirmed that the students were recovering from the effects.

"A second student from Jamaica College, who was not initially taken to the hospital, was admitted later that day [Tuesday] after complaining of pains. He was subsequently treated. Both Jamaica College students have shown significant improvement but remain hospitalised," the statement read.

The statement concluded that ISSA would "continue to monitor their conditions and are praying for a full recovery".