Defending champs seek first win; spot in knockout phase

Winless since the beginning of the Petra Organization/Courts Pee football tourney, defending champs St. Pius will attempt to secure their spot in the knockout stage when they faceoff with F.E. Pollard today at the Thirst Park ground.

Sitting third in the group with two points following goalless draws in their opening two games against J.E. Burnham and St. Angeles, St. Pius will need an improved team showing if they are to overcome the high scoring Kitty-based institution at 10:45hrs.

F.E. Pollard currently sits second in the group on three points from one win and a loss. They, however, will fancy their chances of securing a positive result following their 6-0 hammering of derby rivals J.E. Burnham and will look to their top scorer Quincy Williams with three goals to lead from the front.

The defending champs’ guaranteed progression may also be complicated by the St. Angeles and J.E. Burnham fixture also at 10:45hrs. St. Angeles currently head the group on four points from one win and a draw and simply require a draw to secure their progression to the next round.

A win for both St. Angeles and F.E. Pollard in their respective matchups would put St. Pius on the edge of elimination, with their only hope of securing a berth in the next round as one of the best four third positioned teams. This scenario however, is dependent on the results from the others groups.

Only a victory for St. Pius would guarantee their progression while a draw would put them within the mix of securing one of the top three ranked spots. With no points secured, J.E. Burnham would need a huge win over St. Angeles to stand any chance of progressing from the group under any circumstance.

In other matchups, former champs Marian Academy will engage North Georgetown while dark horses Stella Maris will lock horns with Winfer Gardens at 10:00hrs. The 11:30hrs round of matches will witness St. Margaret’s opposing South Ruimveldt and St. Ambrose matching skills with Smith Memorial.

Tournament heavyweights Tucville Primary will face their toughest test to date when they battle a vastly improved St. Stephens unit from 12:15hrs while St. Gabriel’s will tackle Thomas Moore in the second fixture of the time slot.

At 13:00hrs, East La Penitence will faceoff with Success Primary whilst Ketley Primary will match skills with the entertaining Enterprise Primary. The final round of matches at 13:45hrs will witness tourney favourites West Ruimveldt facing off with Comenius Primary and Green Acres tackling Redeemer Primary.