KINGSTON, Jamaica-Defending champions Garvey Maceo were held 2-2 by unfancied Kemps Hill High in the opening game of the ISSA daCosta Cup football competition at Sabina Park on Saturday.

Garvey Maceo, who won all 13 games played in the daCosta Cup last season, had to come from behind twice to earn a point in the Zone N game, only the second time they had failed to beat their close neighbours as they also drew 2-2 in 2010.

Conroy Burke and Jerome Donalds scored for Kemps Hill, while Garvey Maceo got equalisers from Nevaughn Myrie and Orlando Lawrence.

Kemps Hill had failed to score against Garvey Maceo in six of seven previous games, took the lead in the 24th minute when Burke tapped in from about two feet but Myrie levelled in the 38th minute when his shot got under goalkeeper Raheem Reid as they were level 1-1 at half time.

Donalds restored the lead in the 48th minute when his long range shot deflected off a defender and flew past goalkeeper Junior Stone.

Lawrence responded two minutes later, finishing off a good movement by the Garvey Maceo team.

Reid made up for his blunder earlier when he saved a point blank shot in time added to earn his team a point.

-Paul Reid