The result of Cup Match is still to be decided — but Somerset Cricket Club are determined they will not be on the losing side if the East-West clash is cancelled due to bad weather.

For Somerset CC — for the first time in the game’s 112-year history — have secured insurance so they will not lose out on hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue if the worst comes to the worst.

The club has teamed up with new Island insurance firm Moongate to get “cancellation and abandonment insurance” — guaranteeing the club will have the income to continue to employ staff and fund a host of youth programmes even if the game does not go ahead.

“We have always wanted to put in some level of insurance protection for the large costs associated with preparing for Cup Match,” Alfred Maybury, Somerset CC president, said.

“In the instance where the match may get washed out, we would be in a large deficit position.”

Mr Maybury added the club had started looking at buying some protection two years ago — and Moongate president and CEO Leon Bascome stepped up to the wicket after helping the club with buildings insurance and the members’ affinity programme.

“Moongate were willing to provide consulting services — they really got us thinking about the risk, the potential exposures and the things we wanted to protect so that when it came time for us to make the decision to purchase the cover, we were well informed,” Mr Maybury said.

“Moongate Insurance has been a true professional partner of ours and we look forward to working with them in the future.”

Mr Bascome, a Somerset fan, said he was pleased his firm could bring international experience to help the Somerset club cover itself against cancellation.

“The Cup Match is a vitally important source of revenue for these clubs and is also a timeless Bermuda tradition — both need to be protected,” he explained.

“Moongate and Somerset have formed a great team for this year’s event and we’re proud to ensure that our tradition lives on.”

And he said he was looking forward to providing the same kind of cover to St George’s Cricket Club when the match moves east next year.

“We realise that Cup Match is an important component of our GDP and this event contributes to many in Bermuda being employed. we feel that we are doing our part to assist our Government in addressing this, as well,” Mr Bascome said.

Moongate senior business analyst Theresa Roque, who put aside her dark and light blue loyalties to work on Somerset’s policy, said insurance was an important part of safeguarding the future and financial integrity of both clubs.

“Our local clubs are the mainstay of our communities. They encourage camaraderie and most importantly provide an avenue for Bermuda’s youth to express themselves, stay active and have something to strive for,” she said.

“It was more than just money that needed protection. Somerset was able to articulate its requirements and have this programme tailor-made accordingly.”