Jermaine Lannaman, Star Writer

Tivoli Gardens' Necas Collins (foreground) is challenged from behind by Norman Manley's Devar Peddlar during their ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup match at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday. Tivoli Gardens won 1-0. - Ricardo makyn

Calabar High and St George's College got their Manning Cup campaigns off to rousing starts yesterday, blanking Ascot High and Dunoon Technical 5-0 and 5-2, respectively.

One of eight winners on the day, Calabar were led to victory on a brace each from midfielder, Kabari Palmer, and defender Dane Ewerf.

In other results, last year's beaten semi-finalists, Waterford, were surprisingly held to a goalless draw by traditional minnows, St Mary's College, Charlie Smith came from two goals down to defeat Spanish Town 3-2, Tivoli Gardens clipped Norman Manley 1-0, Ardenne got the better of Camperdown 3-2, Campion blanked Tarrant 3-0, while the game between Donald Quarrie and Pembroke Hall was not played.

Outclassed

At Red Hills Road, the Portmore-based Ascot were outclassed and had it not been for faulty shooting, they could have gone home more embarrassed. Calabar held a 3-0 half-time lead.

"It was not a bad result, but we should have done more," said Calabar's coach, Alrick Clarke, who is now in charge of the green-and-black standard bearers following the death of the late, David "Wagga" Hunt. "But I am pleased with the result and we look forward to the next game."

At the Spanish Town Prison Oval, Charlie Smith's come-from-behind win was piloted by Kemar Douglas (73rd), Lamar Nelson (78th) and Javani Simms (80th), this after Cahilie Gordon had scored from two dead ball situations - a 61st minute penalty and a 68th minute free-kick - to put the home team in the lead. Both teams failed to score in the first half.

"For a team whose average age is 15 years old, I thought they showed character," said Charlie Smith coach, Jerome Waite. "I am proud."

At Emmet Park, St George's, who clipped Kingston College 2-1 in the Roper Cup two weeks ago, came out on top against Dunoon, thanks to a four-timer from Kemar Malcolm, while at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex, it took a Mark Abraham 80th minute goal to separate Tivoli Gardens from Norman Manley in a keenly contested tie.

Yesterday's Results

Campaign 3 Tarrant 0

Tivoli 1 Norman Manley 0

S. Town 2 Charlie Smith 3

St George's 5 Dunoon 2

Excelsior 3 G. Portmore 0

Ardenne 3 Camperdown 2 Waterford 0 St Mary's 0

Donald Quarrie vs Pembroke Hall (Not played)

Calabar 5 Ascot 0

Today's Matches

(home teams named first)

Denham Town vs Mona

Wolmer's Boys vs Vauxhall

Bridgeport vs Cumberland

Eltham vs Innswood

Jose Marti vs St Jago

Kingston College vs Edith

Dalton James

STATHS vs Penwood

St Catherine vs Kingston High