The many positives surrounding local cricket inspired Reginald Pearman to run for a third consecutive term as president of the Bermuda Cricket Board.

Although he just retained the top position by the skin of his teeth by beating off a spirited challenge from former vice-president Allen Richardson ¿ the returning officer cast the deciding vote after Pearman and Richardson ending up tied 8-8 on ballot voting ¿ Pearman is satisfied that he will have the strong backing of the affiliates and his committee to forge ahead and continue to work on implementing the many plans that have been adopted to improve the sport at all levels.

But one had to wonder whether the 62-year-old chief would still have any desire left after enduring a successful heart operation in Boston late last year and then after having surivived a fierce dispute with the affiliate clubs who were close to undertaking a vote of no confidence against his committeee over concerns about the day-to-day management of the Board.

Having survived both and with a bulk of other positive things the Board attained over the past two years, Pearman feels justified in continuing to remain on board and guide the association to what he believes to be a robust future.

"I love cricket and it was easy to continue to go on after getting a good physical report from my doctor combined with the backing from my family to stay associated with the sport of cricket," said Pearman.

"I would like to believe that I have been doing a good job and that goes for my committee also because they are a good group of people. We are all also very cognisant of the fact that we have to be more accountable when it comes to dealing with the funding to get from the people and the recent report that we had available for the affiliates during our meeting clearly showed that we were ¿ as they were ¿ in position of a glorious, detailed and well produced document." Another reason Pearman said he was encouraged to run again, after there was some speculation that he would stand down, came when several clubs had personally sought his service to fill the gap for yet another term.

"I really do think that the sport of cricket is on the up and up, it definitely is growing back to where it used to be and I truly believe this," he said.

"Certainly I believe that further proof of this is evident when one analyses why Government came forth and invested $11 million for the further development was with some welcome current and long-term development which would cover all aspects of the sport.

"And then you can look at the various national teams that we have out there carrying the Bermuda banner as proud as ever, the success of the senior national team to become the first ever to qualify for the World Cup, now we have the Under-19 just qualifying for the World Cup next year, we have the women's team that only just missed out but seem to have a brilliant future ahead and then we have an Under-13 team that has just come off a very promising international competition,"' he noted.

According to Pearman, while there have been negatives, these will be outnumbered by the many positives which is why he is looking down the road ahead with justified optimism.

The recent AGM also landed three new representives on board with the inclusion of Terry-Lyn Paynter, Cal Waldron and Charlotte Simons.

"This is more good, positive additions to the board and another reason why I believe that cricket is on track for some bright times ahead of us," he said.