From the lines of tents dotting the Island to the cricket fans at the St. George's Cricket Club's Wellington Oval, residents and visitors alike celebrated the Cup Match holiday in two glorious days of sunshine.

The early morning heat did not deter cricket revellers from kicking up their heels around the cricket pitch and watching their favourite team bowl or bat.

See the match report in Sport

The slow pace of the game could only mean two things: relaxation for some but also plenty of time to sneak off for delicious fish sandwiches on the Island such as Dolly Pitcher's fried fish.

Cup Match, for Bermudians and visitors, is the chance for a favourite team to win but is not limited to the game itself. Many will attest that the real fun begins when you take a first bite of mussel pie or win big at the Crown and Anchor table.

And milling around the stands at the St. George's Cricket Club on either day of Cup Match the smell of fresh seafood and the sound of high rollers betting the day away waft among the fairly quiet and subdued game of cricket at the pitch.

Locals Heather McKirdy and Catherine Stewart brought their friend Marie-Claude Chapaight from Montreal to the grounds around St. George's Cricket Club to get a taste of everything the festivities had to offer.

“We're here to get the whole experience,” Ms McKirdy said. “See the game, eat the food.”

Decked out in floppy top hats striped in the two shades of blue for St. George's, Ms McKirdy added: “St. George's is batting so we got here at the perfect time.”

But in order to fulfil their French friend's Cup Match holiday they would also be taking her under the big tent to play a few rounds of Crown and Anchor.

“We will be introducing her to Crown and Anchor,” Ms Stewart said.

Rooting for Somerset, Bermudian Kristin Jones also brought visitors to witness the Cup Match holiday at the cricket field. Ms Jones along with her friends, Sumitra Daswani from the Virgin Islands and Bridget Quinn from Florida, were wearing bathing suits and cover-ups in the distinct blue and red of the Somerset team.

“I'll show them everything there is to see about Cup Match, I want them to see everything,” Ms Jones said.

But not everyone comes out at Cup Match to experience the game or the food. Some people just like to be seen.

Girls and guys get their chance to show off the latest Bermudian fashion regardless of the sweltering heat. And it is still not unheard of to buy an outfit specifically for the occasion.

Brigitta Wohlmutch along with her friend Velanie Johnston had apparently gone shopping together as both were wearing similar bright-coloured skirts and sandals with laces snaking up their legs.

“We came to watch a little bit of the game,” Ms Wohlmutch admitted.

“We came to show off our outfits,” said Waynette Smith, not afraid to state the true reason for showing up to the cricket field.

Accompanied by friend Denzelle Swan both wore matching orange tank tops and white cropped pants.

“But we're also here to watch the game and root for St. George's,” Ms Swan said.

Their friend, Danyelle Ible, pointed out that the group had all bought their outfits specifically for Cup Match.

But there were many fans that lined the field waiting for their team to score a run so supporters could blare horns or sprint out on the field shouting and waving their team colours.

Yolae Smith, in the traditional style of running out on the field to put money in the hats or pockets of team players, was seen yesterday morning running alongside children to congratulate her team, St. George's, after they scored 50 runs.

“They call me their team mascot and I think they're happy that I'm still around to cheer them on,” Ms Smith said later in the day bedecked in a blue-striped dress with a bright, silver hat on top of her head. “I'm here to watch the game and have a big party,” she added.

Yesterday, the crowd consisted of around 8,000 old and young including Ahijah Foggo and Osagi Bascome covered, literally, head to toe in St. George's colours. Ahijah's head was also decorated part blue in support of the team.

“We're going to play cricket today too,” said Osagi the son of St. George's bowler Herbie Bascome.

Ursala Ebbin, from her outfit to her jewellery and purse, was enveloped in Somerset colours and the senior cricket fan said: “Yeah, Somerset all the way.”