Somerset claimed bragging rights in this year’s Harris Bay and Somerset Old Boys Charity Cricket Match.But according to Harris Bay and Somerset Old Boys committee chairman, Gary Williams, the biggest winner was this year’s beneficiaries Bermuda Heart Foundation who will receive monies raised during Thursday’s entertaining match which saw Somerset prevail by 32 runs at Somerset Cricket Club.Over the past half a century the Harris Bay and Somerset Old Boys Charity Cricket Match committee have raised thousands of dollars for local charities.“So far we have donated over 70,000 dollars to charity and that’s just from everyday people going into their pocket and coming out,” Williams said. “It has nothing to do with any corporate company or anything like that. It’s just everyday people going into their pockets and that’s at the event on the day.”Even though the match has ended, Williams said donations are still coming in to go towards the worthy cause.“It’s going to be another week or so before we deliver the check to the Bermuda Heart Foundation because people are still donating money,” he said. “We did not set a specific target due to the hard economic time. I was actually taking the box around and people were putting their last pennies in so I’m thankful for that because at least people were being supportive.“I am very thankful for the crowd that turned up this year and everybody was very supportive of the event. We are also very thankful for Somerset Cricket Club who have been very generous to us over the years.”The Harris Bay and Somerset Old Boys match is the brainchild of founders Harrington Zuill (Harris Bay) and Frederick Tucker (Somerset)“The match started in 1952 after Harrington Zuill bought a trophy and approached Freddy Tucker,” Williams said. “Those two decided to have a game among their friends and Freddy Tucker would get his friends from Somerset and Harrington Zuill got his friends from Harris Bay and that’s how the game got started. Maybe a couple of years after that they decided to have the charity event.”Each year players from opposing teams pay a fee ($60) to cover the cost of food and beverages served at lunch and attend a church service the Sunday before the match that is traditionally played on the first Thursday in September.This year’s well-attended Harris Bay and Somerset Old Boys Charity Cricket Match proved to be an exciting and evenly contested affair that went right down to the wire.“It was an excellent match and the crowd was very happy,” said Williams, who briefly stood in as wicketkeeper for Harris Bay during Somerset’s innings. “Some of the guys didn’t turn up, but we still had eleven players on each side which I’m very thankful for.“I think Harris Bay should’ve beaten Somerset. But most of the players were not in shape and haven’t played all year.”If it was any consolation, Harris Bay’s Willie Weldon was named as man of the match for his top knock of 44.“I have to give Willie Weldon credit because he hadn’t played in almost 20 years and he came out and played like he played last year,” Williams said. “I know he’s sore as ever now, but it’s okay.”Following the match Somerset scorer Howard Berkley announced his retirement after serving in the role for 45 years.