Former captain Joe Bailey shared the spotlight during Somerset’s final Cup Match trial at Somerset Cricket Club on Saturday.Bailey, who led Somerset twice in the annual two-day classic in the 1970s and early 80s, was honoured during a special ceremony at the lunch interval.Somerset president Alfred Maybury presented the former all-rounder with a commemorative plaque in recognition of his contributions to the club in Cup Match.Selection committee chairman Michael Corday also reflected upon the crowning moments of Bailey’s Cup Match career that spanned 18 years during the 20 minute ceremony.In attendance were several of Bailey’s family members.“It was a very proud moment for me, and I appreciated those that attended the ceremony,” said Bailey.The brother of past Bermuda Cricket Board of Control (BCBC) president Ed Bailey was the first captain to lead Somerset in Cup Match playing on turf wickets at both ends of the Island.He was vice-captain of Somerset’s team that won the cup from St George’s for the first time in 20 years at Somerset in 1979.Bailey led Somerset to a stunning nine-wicket victory at Wellington Oval in 1981 the club’s first and only victory since cricket has been played on a turf wicket in the East End.Somerset rattled up 377 all out in their first innings and then dismissed St George’s twice for 172 and 226.Requiring only 21 runs for victory, Somerset reached their target with plenty of wickets and time to spare.Winston Reid (82), Colin Blades (59) and future captain John Tucker (47) laid the foundation for Somerset’s first innings total which was the highest at Wellington Oval at the time.“Before the match Clarence Parfitt (St George’s captain) told me the only reason why Somerset won in 79’ was because he didn’t play,” Bailey recalled. “When we went to take the toss on Cup Match morning he told me to ‘get your tail to bat’ and I told him ‘don’t worry about that because we are going to bat all day’ and we did.“Clarence only got one wicket (1-77) that year. He didn’t bowl in the second innings because we only needed 21 runs to win.“It was a very proud moment for me winning the cup as captain in 1981.”Robert Hinds led Somerset’s bowling with match figures of 7-86 while fellow Barbadian Reid claimed 4-21 with his off-spin in St George’s’ second innings to cap a fine all-round display.After the match both Bailey and Parfitt retired from Cup Match.Bailey claimed 39 wickets at an average of 21.59 with his off-break spin between 1963 and 81.Somerset have not won Cup Match at Wellington Oval since Bailey’s team triumphed there more than three decades ago.It is a drought Bailey hopes to see come to end this year.“I would like to see Somerset go to St George’s and win by ten wickets,” he said. “I’m pretty sure everybody in Somerset is satisfied with the team; it is a winning team and I’m glad they gave them the opportunity to defend the cup.“I honestly feel St George’s are going to come and attack and try and make things very uncomfortable. But this is where the maturity comes in for the Somerset players who must be able to go out there and play steady cricket. They must bowl steady and bat steady, that’s the important thing.”