Queen's Royal College (QRC) yesterday waltz into the semi-finals of the Coca-Cola InterCol North Zone play-off with a convincing 5-0 victory over Championship Division campaigners Blanchisseuse Secondary at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
And in the South, Premiership Division champions Naparima College got a single strike from Isa Bramble to get its campaign off to a positive start against La Romaine Secondary at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.
QRC will now face old rivals St Anthony's College for a place in the zonal final next Monday at the same venue. The 'Tigers', relatively tame during the just concluded Premier Division League, roared loudly with a 1-0 triumph over struggling St Mary's College.
However, the Royalians were the stars of the day, scoring four times in the space of 25 minutes in the first half.
Their goals came from Darlon Guppy, Darius Dixon, Nathaniel James and Marc Robertson, all coming in the opening period, while Jabari Mc Kell drilled the nail into the Blanchisseuse coffin late in the second half.
Coach Nigel Grovesnor said he was satisfied with the win but believes his players will have to strengthen themselves mentally ahead of future matches. "Our performances on the field, for the most part, were not matched by the results, but in the latter part of the Premiership Division, we saw an improvement in our goal-scoring, as well as our urgency during matches which has given us confidence going into the InterCol. The only thing, however, is that this tournament is entirely different from the League and any number can play on match-days." Grovesnor explained.
"In this form of the game, it is about who clicks on the day. As it is now I think we have as good a chance as anyone else and only time will tell how far we will go from here," the QRC coach said.
In another game in the south zone yesterday, Pleasantville Secondary edged Moruga Sec 2-1 in the second match in Marabella.
YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
QRC 5 (Darlon Guppy, Darius Dixon, Nathaniel Jones, Marc Robertson, Jabari Mc Kell) vs Blanchisseuse 0
St Anthony's 1 (Ian Cowie) vs St Mary’s College 0
Naparima 1 (Isa Bramble) vs La Romaine Sec 0
Pleasantville Sec 2 (Sherwin Andrews, Turel Norton) vs Moruga Sec 1 (Antonio Molino)
Upcoming Fixtures
(Tuesday 13 November)
Speyside Secondary vs Roxborough Secondary, Quarterfinals C, 3pm, Goodwood;
Mason Hall Secondary vs Scarborough Secondary, Quarterfinals D, 3:30pm, River Bank, Mt George;
San Juan North vs Arima North Secondary, Quarterfinals B, 3pm, Larry Gomes Stadium;
Trinity College East vs Malabar Secondary, Quarterfinals E, 1:30pm, Larry Gomes;
(Wednesday 14 November)
East Mucurapo vs Malick Secondary, Quarterfinals G, 3:30pm, Hasely Crawford;
Trinity (Moka) vs Fatima College, Quarterfinals H, 5:30pm, Hasely Crawford;
St Benedict’s College vs Fyzabad Anglican, Quarterfinals E, 1:30pm, Mannie Ramjohn;
Presentation (San F’do) vs Pt Fortin East, Quarterfinals D, 3:30pm Mannie Ramjohn.