It wasn?t exactly the Ashes, but there was still plenty of excitement at the old Harris Bay Field early this week when it hosted the final match of a 25-year-old friendly international cricket rivalry pitting Bermuda against England.

And not even aching bones, muscle spasms or early afternoon showers could prevent the home team comprised of past British Airways (BA) employees and guests from defeating their Birmingham-based counterparts by ten runs in a 30-over contest to retain the Squeaky Benevides Memorial Trophy.

With the ball skidding off the concrete pitch and outfield heavy from earlier showers, the local team posted 45 runs for the loss of three wickets in their allotted 15 overs after losing the toss and being sent in to bat with David Hillier (17 not out) and Randy Butler (11 retired) providing the bulk of the scoring.

Sam Bromley and Johnny Day took one wicket apiece for the visiting team, captained by former BA flight crew member Eddie Biggs.

Having dismissed their Bermudian opposition for a paltry total, few would have bet against the coveted trophy accompanying the visitors back to Birmingham with the game there for the taking ? the Londoners being presented with what should have been an easy task of scoring three runs per over on the small ground.

The visitors, however, ultimately fell short in their reply ? but not in team spirit and camaraderie ? up against a formidable bowling attack comprised of Hillier, Gavin Stevens, Butler and team skipper Johnny Richardson.

Bromley (11 not out) was the sole Birmingham batsman to reach double figures while Ian Dickson added five as the visitors were restricted to 35 for seven in their allotted overs.

Hillier (two for seven) and Stevens (two for four) were the pick of the local bowling, while Butler and Richardson seized one for seven and one for four respectively.

?It was just a nostalgic get-together between friends. And with players aged between 55 and 60 I can honestly tell you speed did not feature in this game,? event organiser and local team manager Herbie Siggins told

?All the brothers have put on a few pounds and a few grey hairs. But the camaraderie was tremendous and overall I think both teams were perfectly matched having been inactive for the same period of time.?

Wednesday?s contest was the last of a rivalry which origins date back to 1980.

?Another sweet element of this get together was the acknowledgement of past players and friends that have passed away in a moment of silence,? added Siggins. ?Unfortunately after 25 years some of the original players (eight overall) have passed on.?

In 1979 local duty manager Willie Forbes and BA flight crew manager Ian Mackenzie met each other while attending a training course in London.

?As a result of that meeting an invitation was extended for them to come to Bermuda to play cricket,? Siggins explained. ?I am just the guy who ended up meeting these folks in Bermuda and organising the cricket. I sort of inherited everything from Mr. Forbes.?

Birmingham won the inaugural match played at Harris Bay. The event was staged for the next 12 years before being discontinued in 1992.

Thirteen years later, however, both teams agreed to play in one ?last hurrah?, Bermuda hoisting the showpiece one last time in an emotional prize ceremony.

?It was very touching indeed and we all experienced a nostalgic feeling afterwards,? Siggins added. ?We?ve all grown older and time has moved by far too quickly.

?But it was a superb reunion of good friends and we would also like to acknowledge Cleveland County for the generous use of their their field and facilities.?