After succeeding Timmy Edwards as head groundsman at Somerset Cricket Club last year, former Willow Cuts and Somerset all-rounder Bernard Brangman has never once looked back.

In fact, after one year on the job in a full-time capacity Brangman has quickly established himself as one of the Island?s top groundsman, and the club?s well-manicured grounds stand as testament to this.

Now the 61 year-old curator is bracing himself for what is perhaps his biggest challenge to date ? preparing the perfect Cup Match pitch for the current cup holders next week.

Brangman first took interest in pitch preparation in 1999 and was an assistant to both Edwards and cousin Herbie Brangman, himself a former head groundsman at the club.

He has also learned his trade under the tutelage of former Somerset Cup Match skipper Sheridan Raynor who to this present day continues to pass on his wealth of experience to those who courageously brave the searing summer heat for hours on end ? not to mention all the criticism when things just don?t go according to plan.

?Cricket is a game I have always loved and I knew Timmy (Edwards) was getting up in age and really I was forced into taking the job because everyone knew I had shown interests in the job working with Timmy in the past. So I decided to give it a try and I have been going ever since,? explained Brangman.

But Somerset?s head honcho is by no means a one-man band as there are others who lend their support, particularly when match day rolls around on the weekend.

?When it comes to the wicket I handle that by myself but when there?s a game on I have a couple of fellows who help with the covers or marking out. ?Fellows like Tyrone (Simons), my cousin Herbie (Brangman), Bubba Showers and Neiko (Smith) come together and assist me,? added Brangman, who played league cricket for Somerset in the 70s under the captaincy of Joe Bailey.

Looking ahead to the task at hand, the former player reckons he?s up for the challenge.

He said: ?I feel pretty good because the wickets are in good shape and have been playing pretty nicely this season. We haven?t received any complaints and so I am very satisfied with that and I think we are ready for Cup Match.?

Traditionally, Cup Match is played on the centre crease at Somerset Cricket Club. And this year will be no exception, said Brangman.

?The wicket is in pretty good shape right now and we are going to play on that centre wicket (today) in the final trial match.

?But I am not under any pressure because we are in pretty good shape and there?s absolutely no reason for us to be under any pressure. I will consult with the captain (Janeiro Tucker) and coach (Jeff Richardson) to find out what they want for Cup Match and then try to provide the wicket they request,? he added.

Brangman encouraged others, in particular youngsters, to become involved in pitch preparation.

?The best thing players or anyone else who is interested can do is come around when the groundsman is preparing the pitch,? he said. ?If they hang around and watch the groundsman prepare the strip eventually they?ll take a liking to it and want to one day prepare their own strip.

?I have a young fellow up here (Somerset Cricket Club) right now and he comes out and helps me and I tell him everything I can to keep him interested. And who knows. . . he might be doing a wicket on his own in a very short period of time.?