North Village 0 Dev. Colts 0

Goalkeeper Dwayne (Streaker) Adams called on his vast experience to prevent league champions North Village from opening their 2002-2003 campaign on a losing note at Bernard Park yesterday.

The veteran Bermuda international made some crucial saves to keep out Colts pair Lloyd Holder and Aljame Zuill, leaving Village fans grateful not only for his performance but also for the fact that he did not follow through with a transfer in the summer, having applied for a release.

Adams, who hasn't been seen much locally over the last few years as he studied abroad and then played in the US, made his first save of the new season as early as the second minute when the speedy Holder broke through the Village defence and unleashed a fierce shot that smashed against the near post off Adams' fingertips.

The pace of Holder and Zuill caused the Village defence some problems as the visitors continued to take the game to their hosts in the first half. Village were missing the experience of Kentoine Jennings while Colts' inspirational captain Shannon Burgess was absent from their defence.

Michael Hansey prevented Colts from taking the lead in the 28th minute when he cleared off the line after Adams parried a shot from Zuill and Holder followed up, scrambling the ball towards the goal-line before Hansey kicked it clear.

A minute later in a bizarre incident, referee Lyndon Raynor took the players off the field for safety reasons after a swarm of honey bees swept across the pitch, sending players and spectators running for cover as the bees headed in the direction of the tennis stadium.

Raynor was stung in the second half, but Village, last season's most successful team after landing the league and FA Cup double, had little sting in their attack.

Marlon Smith, playing as a striker, and Sergio Goater seldom troubled Cymande Davis in the Colts goal although Kevin Jennings was full of adventure when he replaced Domico Coddington in the 40th minute, trying to get something going for the champions.

Colts continued to look the more likely to score in the second half as Holder and Zuill had a couple of good early chances.

Adams was at his best to parry a wickedly swerving ball from McKonnen Hollis from all of 30 yards in the 65th minute before Holder put the rebound over the top.

In a rare Village penetration, Dwight Warren threaded a pass through the defence for Sergio Goater but Davis was quick off his line to intercept.

North Village: D.Adams; J.Thomas, S.DeShields, M.Hansey, R.Spence (D.Tankard 85 mins), J.Davis, J.Boyles, D.Coddington (Kev.Jennings 40 mins), M.Dill, (Kaiwon Dill 71mins), D.Warren, S.Goater.

Dev.Colts: C.Davis; M.Hollis, Jermel Belboda, K.Simpson, P.Sampson, S.Mendes, A.Thomas (Jermaine Belboda 66 mins), S.Waldron, L.Holder, A.Zuill, J.Smith (J.Dill 74mins).

Booked: S.Goater (Village), J.Smith (Colts).

Men of the match: D.Adams (Village), L.Holder (Colts).

Referee: Lyndon Raynor