A giant Cup Match painting depicting a match at Wellington Oval was erected on Kindley Field Road yesterday, just in time to greet those travelling to St David’s tomorrow for the first round of the Eastern Counties, local cricket’s other century-old competition.

The unveiling of the artwork comes exactly two weeks before the 113th annual match between Somerset, the champions, and St George’s, who are aiming to win the cup back this year on home soil.

Jahni Pearman is the young artist behind the painting after the St George’s Parish Council came up with the idea. “They wanted the cricket club and a few cricketers in front of it,” said the St George’s resident. “It took just under two weeks and a few all-nighters!”

Neil Paynter, the St George’s Cricket Club president, was in attendance yesterday along with some former Cup Match players such as David Adams, Allen Richardson and Leroy “Tubby” Richardson, at 94 the second-oldest surviving former Cup Match player and the oldest from St George’s.

Banners — urging the team to “get that wicket” and “take that catch” — and flags have been erected and photographs will be erected again on the telephone poles in the coming days as the East End gears up for the Island’s most popular sporting event.

“There are some flags already up and we thought it would be a good idea to bring it forward from Swing Bridge and going to the club,” said Quinita Francis of the St George’s Parish Council and chairperson of the initiative.

“That was the businesses of St George’s and we thought we would build on what was already in existence, get the flags and to place some banners at difference [roadside] residences.

“It’s all to bring a festive atmosphere to St George’s and hopefully this will inspire our players to get the cup back. If they see the community is behind them, hopefully they will get the spirit as well and that seeing this every day will motivate them. This will demonstrate that we’re behind them.”

Added Tommy Harvey, chairman of the St George’s Parish Council: “We did everything in house, in the parish, and now the players need to do their part in the parish. The banners have all the phrases: “Don’t miss those catches”, “Bowl them Out”, “We want the Cup”, “Time for a win” will all be posted so they can’t miss on their way to the field.”