By Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Waterhouse custodian Richard McCalum (second right) looks to punch the ball away while being challenged by August Town striker Jermaine Richards in Wray and Nephew National Premier League action at the Waterhouse Stadium yesterday. Looking on are Roger Rodney (left) and Garfield Reid. Waterhouse won the game 2-0. - Junior Dowie

Defending champions Waterhouse, Harbour View, Reno, Seba and Wadadah all registered wins as action in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League kicked off yesterday.

Although the cup holders found the going tough early on as newcomers August Town were very much up to the challenge, second-half goals by Roberto Fletcher and ace striker Kevin Lamey eventually saw the champions off to a winning start to the season. Following a scoreless first half, Fletcher put the champions in the lead when he stayed onside to neatly tuck a Vincent Earle through ball past August Town custodian Devon Haughton in the 54th minute.

Though August Town had an excellent first half, they were a bit sluggish all around in the second. On the stroke of full time, a quickly-taken Garfield Reid freekick caught them napping and a poorly- marked Kevin Lamey, last season's leading goal- scorer, crashed in to head over Haughton and, although his initial attempt came back off the post, he was there for the follow-up attempt.

"Experience beat us today. This is a learning curve for us, I think we have given a good account of ourselves and there is nothing to be ashamed of," was the assessment of August Town coach Christopher Bender.

"We had a lot of positives, we dominated the game for 30-35 minutes in the first half; we conceded a goal early in the first half and that knocked the wind out of us, but we will be back," he added.

Waterhouse's assistant coach, Andrew Williams, said he was pleased with his team's performance.

"It's the beginning of the season and I'm very pleased with the result, I think the guys really made an effort to follow instructions and it paid off," he said.

Newcomers

Harbour View emerged 4-3 winners over Naggo Head but it was a battle royal at the Harbour View mini-stadium as the newcomers were determined to get their season off to the best possible start. Fabian Malcolm put them in the lead in the 2nd minute and Harbour View's Nicholas Dodd equalised in the 9th, but Kirk Ramsey restored Naggo Head's lead on the stroke of half-time.

Kemar Petrekin then put Harbour View ahead in the 46th minute, and Loxley Thomas added another from the spot in the 49th before Kavin Bryan sealed the deal in the 76th. Ramsey then scored a consolation goal for Naggo's Head in the 90th minute.

At Collie Smith Drive, Boys' Town took the early lead, but ended up battling from behind to secure a share of the points in a 2-2 draw with Tivoli. Michael Campbell fired the home team into the lead in the 19th minute, but Fabian Davis pulled Tivoli level in the 28th minute. Nicholas McCreath pushed Tivoli ahead in the 63rd, but then soon after central midfielder Oneil Thompson rescued a share of the spoils six minutes later.

Western powerhouse Seba got off to a positive start to the season when they shocked Portmore United at Ferdie Neita Park Kemar James put them ahead in the 28th minute and Delroy Ellis sealed the deal in the 71st. At Jarrett Park, goals from Nicholai Findlayson and Kevon Grant saw Reno coast their way to a 2-0 win over Village. Also at Jarrett Park, Wadadah thrashed Arnett Gardens 3-1.