Cricket and political rhetoric went hand in hand at Bermuda's biggest sporting holiday which attracted smaller crowds than in past years.

And while all eyes were on the cricket, most minds were not far from the Independence referendum less than two weeks away.

Although the game was predictable (a draw) so was the high profile presence of politicians who plied their political messages with handshakes or T-shirts touting political slogans.

PLP MP Mr. Ottiwell Simmons who manned a booth selling green and white "Referendum no! Abstain!'' T-shirts and pins claimed Cup Match was an opportunity for the Progressive Labour Party to disseminate its message.

"We are being quite low key,'' he said. "We are not soliciting anything. We are issuing information to anyone who wants it.'' Young people and visitors in particular wanted to know the difference between an abstention and a "no vote'' and many had bought the shirts, he said. But the really hot merchandise turned out to be Somerset and St. George's flags which had sold out by early afternoon.

"I'm a believer in Cup Match,'' Mr. Simmons said. "It keeps the culture alive especially the black culture. We all enjoy ourselves together. Cricket does the job. The game brings people together.'' At what was once an almost exclusively black sporting event, yesterday's crowd appeared more racially mixed than ever before with significant numbers of visitors enjoying what one dubbed "the Las Vegas of the East Coast''.

"It is a very mixed crowd,'' commented the Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan.

"It really is a reflection on the progress the whole Country has made. Cup Match is more than just a game. It is a time for people to get to know each other.'' Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade said he was pleased with the interest people had shown in the PLP shirts.

"It has been very positive for us,'' he said. "It has given us an opportunity to speak to people including many white Bermudians who don't attend our meetings.'' However, some game goers objected that Cup Match was not the place for politics.

"The politicians are using holidays like this to get their political point across,'' said Mr. Shawn Spencer. "It was like the 24th of May when the Premier used his speech to push Independence. I'm afraid it's going to start to happen every year now.'' Said Mr. Darion Thomas: "It has become an outlet for political tension.

People just want to come together and relax.

"The T-shirts are all about marketing a concept. I don't think it has a place in Cup Match.'' But Committee for a Progressive Bermuda under Independence spokesman Mr.

Philip Perinchief who headed a rival booth selling "vote yes'' shirts claimed sports and politics could not be divorced.

"Cup Match is politics,'' he said. "Cup Match is the result of emancipation 161 years ago. We are now doing what Cup Match started.'' Over the two-day event hundreds of shirts had been sold, he claimed.

But outside the game, dollars not politics generated the biggest buzz. In the money spinning sectors of Wellington Oval roars of excitement from the Crown and Anchor tables intensified during the course of the afternoon. Whoops of excitement and enormous wads of cash drew fairly large crowds.

But even if the interest was there the operators claimed the money was not.

"It is definitely not a boon year,'' said one. "There is not a lot of cash around.'' With a number of new food and beverage stalls springing up this year, competition was fierce and some stall owners complained of a drop-off in business.

"We are not as busy as last year. People seemed more into Cup Match last year,'' said a woman at the Country Kitchen stall that offered a traditional fare of conch stew and fish sandwiches.

Possibly the near ninety degree weather was to blame because Bermudians lined up to buy "Snowy's'' multi-flavoured "snow balls'' and drinks instead.

Mr. Chris Swan of Progressive Brothers United which ran a stall selling sherbert and fruit said business had been good both days. The reason? Bermudians were more health conscious than they used to be.

Sen. Neletha Butterfield commented Bermudians were drinking more fruit juices and less alcohol than in previous years.

Many turn out just to see the game Her observation was borne out by St. John's Ambulance volunteers who admitted that in the past their work including reviving those who had had too much sun or imbibed too much. But by 3 p.m. yesterday, a gashed hand was the worst they had seen.

"It's been quiet so far,'' said one volunteer. "And I like it like that.'' But amid the gamblers, spenders and revellers there were those who came just for the game.

Mr. Bernard (Teddy) Bascome, 76, said he had been coming to Cup Match since he was a child. Also a cricketer, Mr. Bascome admitted he had never played in Cup Match himself.

In the early days, he said, the St. George's pitch was covered in cinders. It was later covered with concrete before being grassed over.

Asked if much had changed about event over the years Mr. Bascome complained it was more commercial than it used to be.

"Back then it was just the game,'' he said.

But long time cricket fan, Mr. Stuart Hollis said he comes to the match every year if he can.

"I just love this game. There is so much history and flavour to it.''