Ken Hockenhull, general manager of Pitt and Company, which is the local agent for Benson & Hedges, yesterday confirmed last week's disclosure by The Royal Gazette that the prominent competition has been concluded.

Hockenhull confirmed that the Camel Cup Cup, however, the other competition his company is associated with as sponsors, would continue to operate as normal.

"We have had a friendly association with cricket over a long period and will continue to do so with any ad hoc sponsorship that can be arranged,'' said Hockenhull.

"Benson & Hedges are to withdraw from similar sponsorship in other countries, including the Caribbean, in which region Bermuda is located for administrative purposes. Benson & Hedges are continuing support of cricket at Test Match level,'' he added.

Just what the Combined Counties intend to do about replacing the tournament remains to be seen. Its president Calvin Christopher said last week that he will have to arrange a meeting between the three counties (Western, Central and Eastern) to discuss the matter before making any comment.

Hockenhull added that an official "advisory" concerning the position of Benson & Hedges in Bermuda had been sent to the three chairmen of the respective counties, the chairman of the Combined Counties and to the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control.

"Any further statement regarding the Benson & Hedges sponsorship must be provided by the Combined Counties Association with whom the sponsorship is arranged,'' he said.