Bradley Stewart said his Rivoli United team's victory over former champions Waterhouse is proof that the team is growing and it was also very special to see Kirk Ramsey score against his former club.

"It is indeed a good feeling to see that without our top player (Devon Hodges) we were able to succeed against a determined Waterhouse team. Ramsey, who played for them last year and another new signing, Kemar Brown, did justice for us,'' said Stewart.

The veteran coach also stated that both teams put in a very spirited performance, but Rivoli wanted to win the game more.

It was a packed Spanish Town Prison Oval that witnessed the first match in this year's Digicel Premier League and the constant screaming and shouting signalled its great entertainment value.

The home team was quick off the mark, stringing a series of passes together with Valentine Gardener, Barrington Planter, Kemar Brown, Kirk Ramsey and Fabian Gordon, creating havoc in their more fancied opponents' half.

Rivoli were duly rewarded in the 16th minute when Gardener beat his marker and sent a cross into the path of Brown, who made no mistake wih the finish, sending his team ahead 1-0.

Hurried clearances

Waterhouse made a number of hurried clearances and defended stoutly until the 38th minute when Gardener was brought down in the penalty area. Ramsey walked up and calmly slotted home.

This seemed to have stung the Waterhouse supporters into silence, the score moving to 2-0 by the end of the first half.

On the resumption, Waterhouse made a number of substitutions. Andre Clennon and Roberto Fletcher came on and injected some life in the game and had the Rivoli defence under pressure.

With time running out and Rivoli defending soundly, Clennon scored in the 86th minute to give Waterhouse some hope.

Too late

However, it was simply too late and soon after the two minutes of extra time was played, referee Dwight Royal signalled the end with the sound of his whistle ending the match 2-1.

Geoffrey Maxwell, coach of Waterhouse, blamed the loss on bad play.

"We showed too much respect to the opponent in the first half and that's why we lost. As you can see when the team came and started to play it was a different game, so some changes will have to be made," promised Maxwell ahead of next Sunday's home fixture against defending champions Tivoli Gardens.

Rivoli 2

Kemar Brown (16th)

Kirk Ramsey (38th pen.)

Waterhouse 1

Andre Clennon 86th

Sunday's matches

Waterhouse vs Tivoli at Drewsland at 3 p.m.

Portmore vs Arnett at Ferdie Neita Park at 7:30 p.m.

Boys' Town vs Harbour View at Collie Smith Dr at 3:30 p.m.

Sporting Central vs Village at Brancourt at 3:30 p.m.

St Georges vs August Town at Lynch Park at 3:30 p.m.

Humble Lion vs Rivoli United at Effortville at 3:30 p.m.