Bermuda's testimonial match is promising to become a popular fixture on the local cricket calendar after the second annual game proved a resounding success at Lord's on Saturday.

Even without the 14 national team players, who departed for Guyana on Saturday morning, the match involving overseas guests Phil Simmons of the West Indies and Philip DeFreitas of England was a close encounter with Dexter Basden's team winning by 29 runs over the team captained by Noel Gibbons.

Afterwards both Simmons and DeFreitas, as well as Sussex and former England opening batsman Bill Athey, who is on the Island on vacation and was a guest at the match, expressed interest in coming back for next year's fixture.

DeFreitas, who will speak at Northlands school today before departing tomorrow, was presented with two cedar lamps while Simmons was presented with a cedar tray and the players' wives picture frames. Simmons spoke to Warwick Secondary students on Thursday and both players proved popular with the spectators on Saturday.

"The response was extremely positive from all sectors of the community,'' said one of the testimonial committee members, St. Clair (Brinky) Tucker.

Another member of the committee, Custerfield Crockwell, fell ill last week and was taken to hospital but was still able to make an appearance at the game after being released on Friday.

A post-mortem will now be held to determine what changes or improvements are needed for next year as the event continues to grow in stature.

"Many spectators have offered various suggestions as to how we can improve,'' said Tucker, who admitted the possibility of extending the event to two days had been discussed.

"There was also talk of a six-a-side tournament and bringing in an entire team, but we'll have a post-mortem on this game and see where we go from here.

It appears that this event, with the blessing of the board, will be on the calendar for an indefinite period.'' The event this year honoured three people who the committee recognised as having made major contributions to the sport: W.F. (Chummy) Hayward, McDonald Simmons and Jim Woolridge, each of whom were presented with crystal bowls.

"Numerous corporate companies assisted us and it was much bigger than last year,'' added Tucker. "We are extremely grateful to the corporate sector.

"In addition the crowd was very supportive and the umpires, scorers and gate keepers all volunteered their services. We also got tremendous support from St. David's Cricket Club.'' The day began with a 20-overs match involving ex-players who turned out in force. The first ball was bowled by Mackie Simmons to Jim Woolridge as the former Tourism Minister came to the crease wearing yellow Bermuda shorts.

Woolridge hit a couple of boundaries in his knock of 15 as his team, Randy Horton's XI, scored 86-6 in 18.1 overs. Vernon Foggo was next high man with 13 while Cal (Bummy) Symonds claimed two for seven for the Symonds XI who replied with 60-3 in 11 overs when the match was halted to allow for the presentation prior to the main game.

As it was, the second match didn't get underway until about 1.30 and was then reduced to 35 overs per team. Some players selected were unavailable so Jeff Pitcher and Randall (Bubba) Woolridge who played in the ex-players' match filled in.

Action was immediate as Dennis Archer was dismissed first ball, caught by Dennis Trott off Kevin Hurdle.

Dexter Smith dominated a second wicket stand of 38 with his captain, Basden, and hit two sixes, including one off DeFreitas near the clubhouse, on his way to a top score of 39. He hit five fours and two sixes.

Simmons, who scored a half century in last year's match, could only manage 17 in 19 minutes with three fours before giving a return catch to Noel Gibbons.

Rodney Woolridge (31 not out) and Anthony Manders (22 not out) were the next high men for the team as they shared an unbroken ninth wicket stand of 41.

DeFreitas, who gave up 18 in his first two overs, came back for a second spell at the other end and finished with one for 33 from his seven overs of medium pace while his new ball partner Hurdle took two for 22 and spinner Vivian Simons two for 23.

Gibbons' XI, after also losing a wicket on the first delivery when Dennis Trott was trapped lbw, slumped from 33-2 to 66-8 between the 10th and 25th overs. Then a stand of 55 in eight overs between Del Hollis and Herbie Bascome made for an exciting finish as 48 was needed off the last five overs.

But any hopes of victory disappeared when Hollis was caught at long-on by Jeff Pitcher for 29 in the 33rd over and then in the next over the match ended when Basden held a firm catch at wide mid-off to dismiss Bascome for 21.

DeFreitas, batting at number five, could only manage eight before being caught and bowled by Lionel Cann. Cleon Scotland scored 18.

Sammy Robinson claimed three for 28 and Gary Williams and Cann two apiece for 36 and 25.