St James High School's Jason Malcolm (left) in a tussle with Muschett's Cavrae Clarke in yesterday's daCosta Cup game at Jarrett Park. St James High won the game 3-1. - Adrian Frater

Western Bureau

Despite an uninspiring performance, champions St James High School yesterday secured their place in the inter-zone round of the 2009 ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup, when they carved out a 3-1 win against Muschett High in their Zone A game at Jarrett Park, in Montego Bay.

Roshane Reid and last year's golden boot winner Allan Ottey were the players on target for St James High, which has now moved to 21 points, three more than unbeaten Cornwall College. Despite being inactive yesterday, Cornwall also secure their inter-zone place by virtue of the defeat suffered by Muschett High.

"I thought we played reasonably well today although it was not a tactically sound game," said St James High's coach. Pastor Hugh Solomon. "The most important thing is that we won the game."

In the other game in Zone A played at Bogue, in Montego Bay, 1986 and '88 champions Herbert Morrison, registered their first win of the season when they came away 3-1 winners against Spot Valley, which had clipped them 1-0 in their first round game.

In the competitive Zone D, Marcus Garvey took over sole leadership of the group when they rebounded from their surprise loss to William Knibb with a 2-0 win against Aabuthnott Gallimore, which lifted their season tally to 19 points. Marcus Garvey went into yesterday's game tied on 14 points with William Knibb, which was inactive yesterday.

In another Zone D game, the Cassman Williams coached Cedric Titus High School moved into second place in the group, when they scored a big 4-0 win against Cinderella team York Castle. They are now on 18 points - one less than Marcus Garvey and two ahead of William Knibb.

Over in the divided Zone L, Paul Bogle High joined Seaforth as the qualifiers from Zone L(b) for the four-team play-off to decide the group's two inter-zone qualifiers, when they registered a big 5-1 against St Thomas Technical. In Zone L(a), Fair Prospect joined Port Antonio in the play-offs from that group after playing to a 1-1 draw with Buff Bay High.

St James' Allan Ottey was on target for the title holders. - File photos

Yesterday's games

Zone A

St James High 3 Muschett 1

Herbert Morrison 3 Spot Valley 1

Zone D

Cedric Titus 4 York Castle 0

Brown's Town 1 Ocho Rios 1

Marcus Garvey 2 A'Gallimore 0

Zone J

Charlemont 3 Ewarton 0

Glengoffe 2 McGrath 2

Zone K

Annotto Bay vs Brimmervale (not played)

St Mary High 3 Oracabessa 2

Zone L (a)

Fair Prospect 1 Buff Bay 1

Zone L (b):

Yallahs 1 Morant Bay 1

Paul Bogle 5 St Thomas Tech 1.