celebrated their long-awaited Cup Match win.

The emphatic victory, Somerset's first in four years, put fans in raptures.

Eager to explain how the West was won was Raymond Butterfield.

He said: "Somerset has a new team with youth in the side. It was something we should have done a few years ago. Now we can build with them.'' And victory was equally sweet for Ricardo Swan.

He said: "I was the last person to pick a Somerset team that won Cup Match.'' Caught up in the mass of dancing fans was Talibah Branch.

She said: "It's been a long time. It's wonderful. That it happened here is even better -- to be victorious at home in the year 2000.

"Wendell White is man of the match for me. He turned it around yesterday.'' Fellow fan Julian Wheddon said: "It means everything. It was a long wait but it was so emphatic.'' Somerset Cricket Club President Colin Smith was in no doubt about what the victory meant to the side's loyal supporters.

But he was equally in no doubt about what the fans mean to the game.

He told them: "Without the fans Cup Match would be just a game of cricket.'' One of the biggest fans at yesterday's show-piece fixture was Mansfield (Bojangles) Smith who has only missed one Cup Match in his life.

Mr. Smith, 67, father of Cup Match stars Wendell and Clay Smith, said: "I was working and couldn't go. It hurt so much I never missed another one.'' In the visitors' tent he had the tricky task of briefing baffled tourists on the intricacies of cricket.

He said: "Some of them have never seen cricket in their lives. They always want to know why both teams play in white rather than in two different colours to distinguish the teams.

"I tell them it's traditional and white reflects the heat better than colours.'' One cricket convert was Eugene Smith, from Rhode Island. He said: "I like it.

It's like baseball but I think baseball has more strategy.'' But for Shannon Burgess, captain of Bermuda's national football team, cricket is tactics-based.

He said: "I prefer football but cricket is about strategy. It's a roller coaster ride. I love Cup Match. It makes me really proud to be Bermudian.'' But for those who found they were on a sticky wicket when it comes to cricket there was always the rival attraction of Crown and Anchor.

Wild, Wild West New this year was Denis Law's automated version. The one-player boards were set up in a square with Mr. Law and his staff in the middle.

A large soft dice placed in the centre of the square would show who had won while trap doors would open up and swallow chips placed on losing bets.

Veteran VSB Radio commentator C.V. (Jim) Wooldridge said new features at this year's Cup Match had given it a special flavour.

He said: "There were proclamations about Emancipation Day and white doves symbolising freedom were released on the first day. "I wish the atmosphere would last all year round.'' Randy Horton, who broadcasts for ZBM and is also Mr. Woolridge's House of Assembly opponent, said: "I eat, sleep and drink Cup Match. When Cup Match is on everything else is put on the back burner.''