Jamaica College's Shamal Thomas (right) is tackled by Kingston College's Taval Whitakker during their ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup match at the Constant Spring Sports Complex yesterday. JC won 1-0. - Ian Allen

Defending ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup champions, St George's College (STGC), were brought crashing back down to earth, after a heroic 4-3 victory over Kingston College (KC) in their opening fixture, by losing 2-1 to Bridgeport in their second game at the Constant Spring Sports Com-plex yesterday.

In the opening match at the same venue, Jamaica College (JC) boosted their title credentials with a 1-0 win over KC.

The victory propelled JC, who defeated Bridgeport 2-0 in their opening game, to the top Group Two with six points, three ahead of Bridgeport and STGC, who are both tied on three points. KC are at the bottom of the group with zero points.

The winners of the three groups plus the best second-place team will advance to the semi-finals of the competition. The Anthony Patrick-coached Bridgeport were led to their win courtesy of goals from Tyshawn Reinford (5th) and Jamiel Hardware (52nd). Jhuvon Francis netted the consolation goal for STGC in the 70th minute. Patrick, whose team last won the competition in 2006, was delighted with their effort.

"I am happy that we get three points," said Patrick. "However, I was hoping that we would have got some more goals, but hoping we can get these goals in our next match."

Patrick added: "We have always put ourselves in this situation over the last five years and we have always managed to dig ourselves out of it. I am confident that we can get the goals in our next match to advance to the semi-finals."

Neville Bel,l coach of STGC, was not pleased with his team's performance. "I am disappointed that we didn't win, but again we gave up a goal that we shouldn't have given up," said Bell.

"Congrats to Bridgeport because they played hard, but we also played hard, it just wasn't our day today and hopefully we can get it right in our next game," Bell said.

Odane Greensword scored the lone goal for JC in the 76th minute.

Bridgeport's Odane Provost gets away from St George's Carl Reid during an ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup at the Constant Spring Sports Complex yesterday. Bridgeport won the game 2-1. - Ian Allen