Some of the finest cricketers who left their mark on Cup Match were honoured during Heritage Production’s 9th Annual Emancipation Awards Luncheon at Somerset Cricket Club today.This year saw former Somerset players John Tucker, Clyde (Tango) Burgess, St Clair (Brinky) Tucker and Bergon Spencer honoured for their contributions to the annual mid-summer classic and preserving Bermuda’s cultural heritage in the process.Somerset Cricket Club resident Alfred Maybury accepted the award on behalf of Spencer who was not present at the ceremony.Among the honorees from St George’s were former skipper Clevie Wade, Arnold Manders, Allen Richardson and Allan Douglas. Wade was absent from the ceremony and was represented by daughter Zana instead.A special award was presented to former cricket commentator Winston (JR) Jones for his outstanding service in broadcasting live coverage of Cup Match.Pastor Kevin Santucci began proceedings in prayer before Heritage Productions member Carlton Best provided insight on the organisation and its mandate during his opening remarks.Maybury and his St George’s counterpart Neil Paynter both spoke on the importance of Cup Match and thanked the honorees for their contributions to their respective clubs.Following the luncheon, attended by 130 people, Somerset Cricket Club secretary Charlotte (Molly) Simons and Chelito DeSilva-Ruddock, daughter of past St George’s Cricket Club President Louis (Red) DeSilva ,presented biographies of this year’s honorees.Saxophonists, Wendell (Shine) Hayward, then paid a musical tribute.Summing up this year’s ceremony, president Radell Tankard said: “It was a wonderful afternoon; lots of laughter, reminiscing and reiterating the importance of preserving our culture from the honorees themselves.”As for this year’s honorees, Tankard added: “We were very excited when we looked back at their records and are very grateful we could take the time this year to honour those who have made significant contributions to our cultural heritage.”Among the dignitaries attending the nearly four-hour long event were Senator Alexis Swan and Opposition MP Micheal Weeks.