The spirit of Cup Match was alive yesterday afternoon as a celebratory motorcade made its way from St George’s to Hamilton.Music was blasting, flags were waving and colours were worn with pride along the route, bringing that familiar festive atmosphere we all know and love. While the game of cricket will not be played during this year’s historic cancellation due to Covid-19, Cup Match fans will continue to celebrate, be it in a slightly more tempered fashion. As the motorcade, organised by HSBC, approached its end in the city, Brandy Burrows, a Somerset fan, was sporting red hair in honour of her team. She said: “This year we are staying home with family, we’ll go swimming in the pool. “We normally go camping but I felt that because of the whole pandemic we wanted to make it easier, especially with the little kids.”Even without a match she said the rivalry between the two teams is still very much alive. “They’ll say, ‘You have to come better next year!’ I hope Cup Match does come back next year, we love it. I never miss Cup Match; maybe a few times as a child.”Hannah Johnston said the celebrations would still go ahead for her family too. The St George’s fan said: “I would usually be having a barbecue while listening to the game on the radio. “On the first day we are planning go to the beach and on the second day I’ll be at the family house barbecuing.“Cup Match is a national event so it takes away from the tradition this year. Now it’s just two days off work but people can still celebrate the spirit of Cup Match.”Ms Johnston, who works at The MarketPlace on Church Street, said rivalry remained rife at her workplace.“It’s definitely still there,” she laughed. “I was putting up the decorations and everyone was saying ‘No, not St George’s!”Ashley Stephens, owner of Ashley’s Lemonade, said she supports whoever wins and will be working this Cup Match. “I usually work at the Cup Match game, but this year we are going to have to work at Horseshoe Bay parking lot. “We are, luckily, still able to work, but it’s a bit different, we are working with the times. “It’s sad. It’s a first for it to be cancelled, but I feel Bermudians will still celebrate; it is Emancipation Day so people will celebrate. “It’s in the best interest of everyone to stay safe, but I hope families can still spend time together even though they don’t have the game to get to.”Nicholas Bailey, a Somerset fan, said his Cup Match would be a lot calmer than usual this year.“I’ll spend more time relaxing. Usually I will be at the games, going on boats and visiting beaches. “This year it will be more about chilling in the pool with my family. “It’s no surprise Cup Match was cancelled this year. “We are not out of the woods. You can still celebrate those aspects without large groups getting together.”