By Elton Tucker, Assistant Sport Editor

Holmwood Technical High school were victims of a burglary in upper St Andrew early yesterday morning.

The defending girls' champions and the school's boys' team, who are housed on an avenue off Mannings Hill Road, woke up, on the opening day of the 2008 GraceKennedy/ISSA Boys' and Girls' Championships to discover that they had been relieved of a large portion of foodstuff in the wee hours of the morning.

"Dozens of tins of corned beef, buns and milk, part of the supplies to last for the four-day meet, were stolen," Chester McCarthy, manager of the Holmwood team said.

The matter has not been reported to the police.

"We did not want to alarm the athletes," McCarthy said. "Our old students have already taken steps to increase the level of security and to replace some of the goods which was stolen.

"We had some logistical problems yesterday as far as breakfast and snacks was concerned," the Holmwood manager added.

Holmwood are the hot favourites to win the girls' title at the four-day meet for sixth straight year. Last year they amassed 353.5 points to top the championships ahead of Vere Technical, 232, and Manchester High 226.5. The school's boys' team placed 13th in 2007 with 21 points.