Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau

Except for Zone C, where defending champions Godfrey Stewart appear to be in early trouble and Zone J, where Dinthill are off to a slow start, former champions are the teams calling the shots in the 2006 ISSA/ Pepsi/JN daCosta Cup, which is now in its third week.

In Zone A, which features eleven times champions Cornwall College and two-time winners Herbert Morrison, a stiff battle is one with Maldon and William Knibb hunting their scalps. However, after three rounds of matches, Herbert Morrison are the team out-front with seven points from four games with Maldon in close touch with six points from three games.

Over in Zone B, which features 2003 champions Frome Technical and eight-times cup holders Rusea's, the two former winners are leading the pack. The Boysie Nicholson-coached Frome, with a perfect win record from three games, lead the standings with nine points while Rusea's are in second place with seven points from four games.

Two-time champions

Two-time champions St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and Munro College, who won the first three stagings of the competition, are the teams leading the pack in Zone C. STETHS are ahead with maximum 12 points from four games, while Munro College are clear second with nine points from four games.

In Zone H, Clarendon College, who many believe produced the best championship team of all times in 1977, are large and in charge with maximum nine points from their three games.

In Zone I, the only other zone featuring former champions, 2005 champions Glenmuir, despite featuring a relatively new team, have been the dominant team with 10 points.

It is interesting to note that since the competition began 1950, except for 1979 and 1981 when Dinthill High School won, all the champions have come from either western or central Jamaica. The breakdown is as follows: Cornwall College -11, Vere - 8, Rusea's - 8, Munro College - 7, Clarendon College - 6, Dinthill - 2 STETHS - 2, Glenmuir - 2, Frome - 1 and Godfrey Stewart - 1.