Somerset may have had the edge on the cricket pitch but on the water it was the St George’s team who came out on top in the inaugural Cup Match pilot gig boat race.

Last night the St George’s gig team were presented with a special trophy carved out of 200-year-old cedar at the East End Mini Yacht Club.

The Blue and Blue crew crossed the finish line on Ferry Reach in the Pilot Jemmy Darrell gig ahead of their red and blue rivals on the Thursday of Cup Match to claim the coveted Cedar Thole Pin Trophy.

The thole pin, which is the historic oar lock used by gigs, was presented to the winning team by retired US businessman and part-time Bermuda resident Frank Raines, who donated $1,000 to the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club.

The club was formed earlier this summer after three pilot gigs were imported from the UK to Bermuda.

The project was spearheaded by the St David’s Island Historical Society and supported by local residents as well as the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Argus Insurance Group and the Bermuda Diabetes Association.

“We had around 75 people attend the presentation, which was the first social event held by the club,” said Rick Spurling, chairman of the society.

“The boat race was a huge success. It was a beautiful day and we had lots of people along Ferry Reach cheering on their sides.

“We hope to make it an annual Cup Match fixture, and next year we envisage having teams who have trained together for a long time specifically in preparation for the race.”