Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau

The eight teams that have survived the rigours of the competition's two earlier phases, will continue to take aim at the 2008 ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup this afternoon when the crucial quarter-final stage starts with four games across rural Jamaica.

The teams, divided into two groups of four teams each, are paired as follows for today's games: Group One - Lennon High vs Frome Technical; and St Thomas Technical vs Ben Francis champions St James. Group Two - Spalding High vs Rusea's and Dinthill vs Lacovia.

With all the teams sporting respectable records, there is very little to separate them, as except for Frome, Spalding and Dinthill, all the other schools have tasted defeat only once in daCosta Cup and Ben Francis KO competition.

In terms of historical significance, the game involving St James and St Thomas Technical should be closely watched as with the Ben Francis KO title under their belts, St James are the only team among the eight teams that is still in with a chance of becoming triple champions - daCosta Cup, Ben Francis KO and Olivier Shield - this season.

hard to beat

St James which went through Zone A of the daCosta Cup preliminary round and the Ben Francis KO unbeaten before losing 3-2 to Frome in the inter-zone round was in top form in their last game, spanking Cedric Titus 4-0. However, the St Thomas team, which was perfect in the inter-zone round, clipping Old Harbour 2-1, edging Bog Walk 1-0 and clipping St. Mary 2-1, should prove hard to beat.

The game between Dinthill and Lacovia should be closely watched as in terms of excitement and flair, both teams have been churning out high quality excitement all season, especially Lacovia.

In the inter-zone phase, Dinthill with 4-0, 2-0 and 1-0 wins against Annotto Bay, Paul Bogle and Glenmuir, had a perfect record; while Lacovia, which had 2-1 and 4-0 wins over Clarendon College and Bellefield and a 1-0 loss to Spalding, qualified for the quarter-finals as one of two best second-place finishers.

Today's games

Lennon High vs Frome Technical - at Jamalco

St Thomas vs St.James - at York Oval

Spalding High vs Rusea's - at STETHS

Dinthill vs Lacovia - at Spanish Town Prison Oval