St George's College's Romario Jones (left) brings the ball under control while being closely monitored by Glenmuir's Hakeem Milson during their teams' Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Gatorade/Digicel Olivier Shield first-leg meeting yesterday at the Constant Spring Sports Complex. St George's won 4-1. - Gladstone Taylor

St Georges College are poised to retain their Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Gatorade/Digicel Olivier Shield title following an impressive 4-1 triumph over rural area champions Glenmuir in their first leg meeting yesterday at the Constant Spring Sports Complex.

The Light Blues' goals were scored by Andre Lewis (38th), Mark Brown (49th), Cardel Benbow (88th) and Kendon Anderson (90th). Glenmuir's goal was netted by Newton Henry in the 44th minute.

The second leg will be played on Saturday at Brancourt, Clarendon, when the Neville Bell-coached Georgians will seek to wrap up their second consecutive hold on the symbol of all-island football supremacy and fourth in five years.

One of the players who has been around for most of the recent success is central midfielder, Romario Jones. In his four seasons representing the North Street-based school they have won three Manning Cup titles, two Olivier Shield titles and one Walker Cup.

"This is my final year, so this one means a lot to me, as I am looking to go out with a bang," the 18-year-old Jones told Star Sports.

A 2-1 loss to Wolmer's in the Walker Cup hijacked St George's ambitions of repeating last year's feat of winning the Manning Cup, Walker Cup and Olivier Shield.

"We are a bit disappointed, because it is the last year for most of us and we wanted to get the triple crown, but it didn't work out," Jones, who is the team's second leading scorer with 10 goals, said.

"We won the Manning Cup and now we are on our way to the Olivier Shield and we want to win this one badly."

George's, which have 13 Olivier Shield titles to their name, took the lead in the 38th minute when national senior team invitee, Lewis', attempted pass to Anderson trickled into the goal past the flat-footed Glenmuir custodian, Dane Chambers.

Glenmuir pulled level on the stroke of half-time when Henry's powerful free kick flew past St George's keeper, Nico Campbell, at his near post to set up an intriguing second half.

The 22-time Manning Cup champions emerged stronger in the second half, however, as the heavy underfoot conditions caused by late afternoon rain and the short space of time between the Olivier Shield and daCosta Cup finals appeared to take their toll on Glenmuir.

This resulted in George's being able to easily maintain possession, before scoring two late goals through superb strikes from Benbow and Anderson to leave Glenmuir needing a huge turn around to deny Jones the sendoff he desires.

"It is going to be a very emotional moment, as I have been playing with these guys for four years now and we have won a lot of titles and are great friends," Jones, who plans to attend college overseas stated. "We want to win badly so that everyone is happy; the school is happy, our family and all of our fans."