Bermuda Hogges had to settle for a draw in their Premier Development League opener against a dogged and determined New Jersey Rangers at BAA Field last night.While it might not have been the winning start to the campaign Maurice Lowe had hoped for, the Hogges head coach could still take plenty of encouragement from his side's battling performance.Hogges, who were skippered by Antwan Russell, largely outplayed their opponents during the first half and took a deserved lead in the 24th minute through veteran winger Damon Ming.It was one Hogges' trio of debutants, Drewonde Bascome, who crafted the opener, threading a pinpoint pass into the path of the onrushing Ming who showed good feet to cleverly round Rangers goalkeeper Paul Killian and slot home.Just moments earlier, Ming had gone agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock after waltzing his way into the Rangers' box before unleashing a powerful effort that struck the bar.Rangers, who had a goal disallowed for offside in the first few minutes, were struggling to cope with Hogges' high tempo passing game, with the hosts' keeper Tahj Bell rarely called upon during in the opening stanza.The tables turned after the break, though, with Rangers starting the stronger of the two sides, pinning Hogges deep inside their own half as they stepped up their hunt for the equaliser.It came in the 75th minute when striker Jack McVey was the quickest to react after seeing his initial effort hacked off the line by John Barry Nusum, who was in imperious form at the heart of the Hogges defence.For all their second half possession Rangers, who had drawn and lost their opening two games, failed to create any clear-cut chances after drawing level as Hogges continued to threaten on the counter-attack.Workaholic debutant Jamel Swan, who seemed to cover every blade of grass, destroying and creating, went close with a looping header from an enticing left-footed cross from Antwan Russell. Nusum, who hobbled off after a heavy challenge with around ten minutes remaining, also tested Killian with a fizzing drive from the edge of the box.Having lost five or their first seven games last summer, Lowe stressed the importance of putting early points on the board this time around, admitting he was content with Hogges' point.“I'm happy with the point, we're off the mark, hopefully we can return on Sunday and get the three (points),” he said. “I guess (Rangers) came into the game a little more in the second half, which we expected them to do.“It was our first match so we were a little short of match fitness but as the games go on I'm sure we will finish games stronger. We've been working on our team's shape and structure, which we believe will keep us in games for longer, and I was pleased with that tonight.”Lowe hailed the contribution of midfielder Swan who was at the heart of everything good about Hogges, particularly during the first period.“Jamel was very industrious tonight on both sides of the ball and worked very hard. Troy Tucker and Drewonde (Bascome) also worked hard with him. It was a very young midfield but I thought they worked well.”Hogges return to action tomorrow when they take on Brooklyn Knights at BAA Field at 5pm.Bermuda Hogges: T Bell, T Burgess, S Smith, R Lee, J Nusum (R DeShields, 81), J Swan, T Tucker, D Bascome (C Robinson, 70), A Simmons, A Russell, D Ming (J Dickinson, 72)Substitutes not used: D Johnson, D Andrade, D Coddington, J BatherGoal: Ming, 24Yellow cards: SwanNew Jersey Rangers: P Killian, P Vilar, L Andre, J Gorskie, A Basto, A Vest-Hansen, D Rasoilo, C Vasconez, A Moore, J McVey, M DietzeSubstitutes: N Santo, S Graziani, Z Gomez, A ZacheryGoal: McVey, 75Referee: A ObisesanMan of the match: Swan (Hogges)