THE ball has only just begun to roll. And already this afternoon, East/Central champions El Dorado Senior Comprehensive will face a serious examination of their credentials for 2000.
The “Blue Thunder”, having come away with a 2-0 win at home to Carapichaima Senior Comprehensive in their opening game, face traditional rivals Arima Senior Comprehensive again at El Dorado.
This is a match between two unbeaten teams, Arima having edged newcomers Toco Composite 3-2 on Thursday. And having trailed well behind El Dorado both in terms of points and quality over the last two seasons, Arima will be keen to reverse the trend.
Should they manage a win on the road, the victory would indeed be significant, for ElDo have now gone 27 matches unbeaten in the East/Central Zone since the start of the 1998 season.
In the other East/Central games, first day winners San Juan Senior Secondary host Presentation College, Chaguanas; Carapichaima entertain Toco and Barataria Secondary go in search of their first points at St Augustine Senior Comprehensive.
Down south, Naparima’s record is just slightly poorer than El Dorado’s.
They have lost just once in their last 29 zonal games. And this afternoon, the national champions, already with a 1-0 win over Princes Town Senior Comprehensive behind them, will aim to preserve that record down by the sea in Mayaro.
In other matches, St Benedict’s, with a 4-1 beating of Moruga Composite already under their belts, play at home again against Presentation College, Moruga visit Princes Town and newcomers Vessigny Government Secondary visit Pleasantville Senior Comprehensive.
Up north, the first-timers play the old hands at Serpentine Road in a match between two first round winners. St Mary’s College’s 3-2 win over defending champs St Anthony’s College has given them a boost in confidence. But Success/Laventille will lose nothing by way of morale, having announced their arrival in the Championship Division with a 3-1 win over Tranquillity Secondary.
In other games, St Anthony’s and Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive will be looking for their first points of the season when they meet at St Anthony’s ground. Tranquil, too, will be aiming to break their duck at Queen’s Royal College grounds in Maraval, while Malick Secondary travel to Moka to face spirited Trinity College who earned themselves a dramatic 3-3 draw at QRC on Thursday.
All matches begin at 4 p.m.
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