Rivoli United and visitors Cavalier SC played out a 1-1 draw in first-round action of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) yesterday at the Bramwell Clarke Complex in Ewarton.

Cavalier captain Jeffrey Grant gave his team the lead in the 39th minute, but Jermaine Whyte responded three minutes later with a neat finish to give his team a share of the points.

Both teams, who finished middle of the pack last season, would have been satisfied with the point earned in a keenly contested encounter.

The game began with the home team Rivoli United, coached by Calvert Fitzgerald, holding the slight edge in possession and they could have slipped ahead, if not for sharp work by Cavalier’s goalkeeper Kadeem Davis.

Within the opening 15 minutes, the ‘keeper reacted sharply to parry wide when an opposing attacker poked at goal from a melee. But thereafter, the Rudolph Speid-conditioned Cavalier gained confidence and noticeably forced the hosts back into their own defensive third.

Within the opening 15 minutes, the ‘keeper reacted sharply to parry wide when an opposing attacker poked at goal from a melee. But thereafter, the Rudolph Speid-conditioned Cavalier gained confidence and noticeably forced the hosts back into their own defensive third.

Half way into the first period, Cavalier’s Donovan Alveranga went close when his sensational volley from outside the 18-yard box sailed just wide.

On the half-hour mark, Cavalier’s Chevone Marsh fluffed his header when he was unmarked inside the six-yard box as the visiting team continued to hunt the opening goal.

It came soon after when central defender Grant nodded home after the Rivoli defence failed to clear. Seemingly stung by going behind, Rivoli United found another gear and they notched the equaliser when Whyte collected a neatly worked free-kick and swivelled neatly to boot home.

The second half saw less enterprising action as both teams came out cagey and appeared content with a share of the spoils.

However, an energetic looking Cavalier did create a few changes and could have squeezed the winning goal had it not been for some effective last-ditch defending from the hosts.

Teams:

Rivoli United — Shannon Bartley, Jermaine Henry, Maurice Bennett, Fabian Gordon, Keith Wright, Jermey Nelson, Kemar Beckford, Kenny Lee (Ross Burton 80th), Patrick Shecklude (Kemar Bennett 65th), Cory Burke (Anthony Greenland (62nd), Jermaine Whyte.

Subs not used: Damian Campbell, Troy Moulton, Zavian Williams, Daniel Roberts Booked: Beckford (81st)

Cavalier — Kadeem Davis, Jeffrey Grant, Dwayne Holmes, Sean Fogah (Al Fogah 51st), Liston James, Chevone Marsh, Donovan Alveranga, Asaune Smith (Oshane Jenkins 56th), Jerome Smith , Davion Alves, Davion Roberts (Javanie Mitchell 71st).

Subs not used: Shomoyo Morgan, Kamoy Simpson, Chevone Williams, Atapharoy Bygrave

Booked: J Smith (13th), Holmes (45th), Grant (58th)

Referee: Jermaine Douglas

Assistant referees: Keble Williams, Stephanie-Dale Yee Sing

Fourth Official: Oshane Nation

Match Commissary: Ainsley Sharpe