HARBOUR View and Cavalier will renew one of the most enduring rivalries in local football when they clash in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) Second End-of-Round final at Drewsland at 9:00 pm.

Almost 39 years after they first met in a competitive match, two of Jamaica’s oldest clubs, meet again in an intriguing match-up, and how times have changed.

In 1974 when they played, Cavalier, or Duncan Destroyers as they were known, were the “big team” welcoming in the newlyformed Harbour View to big-time football.

Now in 2013, the clash again in a final and this time the roles are reversed, Harbour View are considered the “big side” and Cavalier making a return to top-light football for the first time in 18 years, are considered the Cinderella team.

Cavalier surprisingly topped the second round with 21 points, one ahead of Harbour View and will want to prove that their recent good form is no fluke.

Cavalier head coach David Lalor told the Jamaica Observer that his team is ready and raring to go.

“The team has showed that they really belong to the league and this is no fluke or anything, it’s the ability of the team coming to the fore now,” said Lalor.

He continued: “It is not a surprise for us, we have been showing some good quality from Super League. We entered the premier league a little tentative but the players are getting their foot in and so you can see the results”.

“This is our 50th anniversary and we were in the wilderness for nearly 20 years now, so for us come back and showing this display is a plus for us,” Lalor added.

In two meetings this season, Cavalier are yet to get the better of Harbour View. On October 14, the Stars of the East whipped them 4-0 and on December 23 they battled to a 0-0 draw. “We have not bettered Harbour View for this season any at all, but we have showed some measure of improvement in the second game by drawing, so we just hope that this third game will be a step better and showed that we have really improved to where we wanted to be in beating Harbour View,” he added.

Meanwhile, Harbour View head coach Vin Blaine, who was there when the club was formed, is expecting an open game of football which would suit his team.

“The last time we played they came for a point, this time they can’t do that they will have to come for a win. They will have to come at us… it’s for us to capitalise on our chances and keep them away from goal,” Blaine pointed out.

“They are more improved now but we are confident that we will win but we can’t be over-confident. Them getting to this stage is a testament to their hard work, but based on their firstround performance I am a little bit surprised,” said Blaine.

But despite their recent good form, Cavalier will start as underdogs to their more established opponent. Former Harbour View players Claudius Blackburn and Mitchily Waul might be key to Cavalier’s success. Claudius, the younger brother of Arnett Gardens’ player Marcelino Blackburn, has lifted Cavalier this season with his eight goals, and along with Fabian Nethersole, Girvon Brown, Dellon Wilson, Kirk Fletcher, Donovan Alvaranga and Rasheede Clarke, will be crucial in their victory push today.

But the man that could win it all for Cavalier is the outstanding goalkeeper Gariece McPherson, who is arguably the best in the country at this time and who won November’s CHEC Star Baller of the Month ward.

McPherson will have to be at his best to keep out the marauding Jermaine Hue, Roland Dean, Damion Harwood, Eric Vernon, Richard Edwards, John Ross-Edwards and veteran Fabian Taylor.

With a winning prize money of $250,000 at stake and $150,000 for the runner-up, Harbour View, who lost the First End-of-Round final to Boys’ Town, are favoured to go one better.