KC gear up for repeat

Last season, Kingston College faced all the trials and tribulations that a side could encounter on their way to claiming their first Manning Cup title in more than 30 years.

But although this season's squad seems not as deep as the one that conquered Corporate Area schoolboy football for the first time in three decades, coach Ludlow Bernard insists they have the confidence and commitment to retain the urban area crown.

"I anticipate a very competitive season. A lot of the teams seem well prepared and based on the preseason competitions as well as practice games, it seems as if it's a wide open race where all teams are concerned. But we fancy our chances as much as we did last year, because we have trained hard. Even though we have lost a number of players from last year, we have a good structure in place and we are relying on our organisation," he said.

He surmised that retaining the title will be even tougher this season based on the quality of players he has available, nevertheless, he fancies his chances of winning the trophy for a second successive year.

CONFIDENCE

"The objective is to defend our title as best as possible. It's not going to be easy because maybe we don't possess the same quality as we had last year. But one thing we have is the confidence that we can win it. But this is what winning does, it gives you that extra boost and the boys have taken on the challenge very well and they feel very upbeat about their expectations," he commented.

Bernard, who won the Walker Cup with Wolmer's Boys School twice before moving to his alma mater (KC) in 2017, declared that although the Manning Cup remains their main objective, the aim is to win all available titles.

"It (Manning Cup) is really there for the taking and we are going for everything that is available. It will be as tough. It was very tough last year and it will be just as tough to defend. We have boys who are very committed to the cause and we are really looking forward to this season, so we are prepared to take on all challenges," he told STAR Sports.