Paul Clarke, Star Writer
Western Bureau:

Aaron Lawrence's tenure as head coach of former daCosta Cup winners Rusea's High began with a resounding 3-0 victory over Merlene Ottey High in their opening match of the season yesterday.

The Group B contest was over from the first half as it was clear the 'Russians' held the clear advantage with their movement off the ball and their ability to trouble the opposing defence.

The other game in the group ended in a 2-0 win for Frome over Green Island in a dull affair.

Rusea's lead the group on goal difference over their perennial rivals Frome and the two will most likely be too strong for the others to overcome.

Deshane Beckford the Rusea's centre forward was a constant torment for Merlene Ottey's defenders and it was he who got things going when he rifled home in just the 7th minute after a good build-up.

The home side failed to possess the ball for any sustained period of time and never looked likely to score, as they opted to shoot from distance on a wet, slippery surface.

They came close however in the 22nd minute, when Shevoy Downie hit a powerfully struck shot but it gave Oniel Lewis in goal for the 'Russians' little to do as it was struck firmly at him.

Two minutes later a handled ball inside the home team's penalty area was called and the referee duly pointed to the spot, from where midfielder Farrakhan Wilson blasted past the diving Mark Watt to make the score 2-0.

The win was made sure three minutes into the second half when Christophe Young scored in the 43rd minute.

In Group C, Muschett defeated Herbert Morrison 3-1, while Steer Town returned a 2-0 win over Brown's Town High in the lone game in Group I.

A confident Paul Bogle High will tackle Morant Bay High School in their first game of the season later this afternoon. The other two, Seaforth High and Robert Lightbourne will also clash later today.

Today's matches

Group A

Cornwall vs Anchovy

Green Pond vs St James High

Group D

Mannings vs Petersfield

Godfrey Stewart vs Grange Hill

Group E

B.B. Coke vs Munro

Lacovia vs Newell

Maggotty vs STETHS

Group F

Manchester vs Mile Gully

Cross Keys vs Belair

Group G

Spalding vs Holmwood

Alston vs Christiana

Group H

Lennon vs Clarendon College

Claude McKay vs Edwin Allen

Group O

Morant Bay vs Paul Bogle

Seaforth vs Robert Lighbourne

Yesterday's results

Group A

St George's College 11 Campion College 1

Jose Marti 0 Kingston College 1

Group D

Camperdown 3 Greater Portmore 0

Papine 3 Dunoon Technical 1

Haile Selassie 2 Bridgeaport 0

Group E

Wolmer's 4 Spanish Town 0

Group G

Norman Manley 4 Jonathan Grant 2

STATHS 0 Jamaica College 1

Today's Matches

Group B

Mona vs Vauxhall

Group C

Innswood vs Edith Dalton James

Tivoli vs Denham Town

Ardenne vs St Mary College

Group F

Hydel vs Penwood

St Catherine vs Calabar

St Jago vs Eltham