Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

DESPITE REGISTERING a huge 7-0 win over Maud McLeod, Godfrey Stewart were sent packing from the ISSA/Pepsi/JN daCosta Cup yesterday afternoon when Petersfield, who they were entertaining thoughts of catching, clipped Grange Hill 1-0 to move into the safety of the inter-zone round.

In fact, the Petersfield team (17 points) not only ended Godfrey Stewart's (14) reign as daCosta Cup champions but the victory also saw them overtake Grange Hill (16) to win Group C, which earned them qualification for the Ben Francis Knockout competition which starts on Wednesday.

"We knew it would be a do-or-die situation here today and although a draw would have been good enough to take us through, we wanted to win more than anything else," said Petersfield coach Audley 'Tom Tom' Thomas. "This is a sweet result and we are overjoyed."

Over in Zone B, former champions Rusea's (16) joined zone winners Frome Technical (19) as the inter-zone qualifiers when they secured the three points they needed to advance ahead of Anchovy with a 1-0 win against Knockalva. Anchovy, who had a 3-1 victory against Cambridge, ended with 14 points.

Tough game

"It was a rather tough game for us but we knew what we needed to do," said Rusea's coach, Anthony 'Follies' Williams, in summing up his team's win. "We will now commence intensified preparation to make a serious inter-zone challenge."

Over in Zone E, where St. Elizabeth Technical (STETHS), Munro and Black River started the day in the hunt for the group's two inter-zone places and the Ben Francis slot, Munro hammered Newell 5-1 to win the group while STETHS, who clipped Lacovia 2-1, advanced by virtue of a superior goal-difference over Black River, who defeated Maggotty 3-1.

In Zone K, Tacky topped the group with 17 points after beating Brimmervale 2-1, which sent the Brimmervale team crashing out of contention. Oracabessa (15) took the group's second inter-zone place after clipping Islington 1-0.

In Zone J, which has a crucial outstanding game, Charlemont (17) are the only sure qualifiers. McGrath (11) put themselves back in contention with a 1-0 win over Charlemont. Should they win their outstanding game against Dinthill, they would advance ahead of Bog Walk (12).

Over in Zone L, the battle for the two inter-zone qualifiers remains up for grabs with zone leaders Titchfield (26), who were inactive yesterday, looking a safe bet. Happy Grove (25) kept themselves in the hunt with a 1-1 draw against Port Antonio (21).

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS