WHILE wondering if the BCBC will ever fully appreciate the value of current statistics and historical records . particularly for a game based largely around figures.

***

Oh! And will we have to wait three weeks for Western Stars to be declared league champions - reference Cup Match MVP debacle - or will Camel once again be called on to prevent matters going totally up in smoke.

More cricket - and this is scary - but Somerset Bridge, the long-suffering Bridge, actually giving pause for celebration of victory . and a championship? Are you kidding me? On the real, congratulations are in order for the west enders, with special kudos to Curtis Jackson, Arnold Manders, and Denzil Dill for their match winning performances. Dill, in fact, should be awarded a spot on the 'Survivor' series, after all the years of torturous wanderings through the untamed - and largely winless - wilderness at White Hill over the years.

As for the now former champions Southampton Rangers, 'licks' were, are and should be in order following a lifeless performance, one that brings into question the true purpose of their recent jaunt to England.

Indeed it would appear that the trip had less to do with playing cricket and getting in all this practice and a few matches, as stated by sports chairman Randy Raynor, than taking in the more widespread English pastime, commonly known as 'pubbing'.

Call it jetlag all you like, it appeared more like that new beverage, 'Jet Lager' to this scribe. Note the continual cocking of head and wrist - case closed.

On a more positive note regarding the BCBC administration, it appears that the Super Eight format has brought more life and intrigue to the sport, with more meaningful matches being contested from week to week, while also producing spirited relegation, promotion and championship battles.

Parity would seem to have arrived, with no less than four Premier Division teams having entered the final two weeks with title hopes yet alive.

***

Now for our other national pastime.

Soccer chief Larry Mussenden's call for a sports lottery appears a desperate attempt at raising funds for an administration and affiliates that have already proven themselves poor gamblers.

Their first losing hand was to believe that they could continue to place aceboys and mates in managerial positions and continue to thrive in a business atmosphere requiring astute financial decision making.

Another was the failure to recognise the changing scope of the athletic landscape with local sport going through a rapid period of diversification. This diversification raped the local 'Working Men's' clubs of much of the young talent, however, more tellingly, caused a significant 'brain-drain', with qualified potential club leaders venturing to the fringe rather than continue to tolerate the stunted beauracracy of their local organisation.

Hence, while activities such as sailing, tennis, golf, road running, triathlon, are able to secure funding for specific needs, soccer and cricket appear in a constant state of 'begging'.

The 'beg' now is for a lottery, which I personally disagree with based on the 'truth' that gambling is wrong and should be outlawed completely - and this includes BINGO, Crown and Anchor, gaming machines, and whatever other deceptive cash grabbing gimmicks and gadgetry may be out there.

Lotteries are based on a con, that you can actually win, when the facts are that you will most likely lose, lose, and lose again.

Lotteries prey on those that can least afford to spend money, offering false hope, that con game again.

Look at how lotteries have aided the inner cities of the United States . aided in keeping such dwellers in a state of bound poverty.

Good does not arise from evil - lotteries certainly fall into the latter, and making deals with the devil merely bring one closer to hell, while it is heaven being sought.

In all things there are spiritual attachments, good or evil, and sooner or later such spirits are revealed, to the benefit or detriment of the recipient, lotteries, while appearing to provide initial blessing, offer long term curse.

And, even outside the spiritual aspect, Bermuda does not have the numbers to adequately support a lottery, at least one that would have the seven-plus figures to really stimulate interest.

If sport truly is a means by which we can enhance the lot of our youth and open new horizons, and I believe most would agree that it is, why not have all of us support it with honest, hard earned dollars in the form of a tax.

Other options could include - as mentioned by an unnamed BFA official - a special tax on local based international companies, with monies going to a sports fund having a drawn criteria for allotment.

So much 'tings to say. So little space.

Peace.