The 2025 Annual Cup Match Classic may be remembered as one where youth was served, as three members from the Bermuda team that will soon contest regional qualifiers for the ICC Under-19 World Cup will play the biggest game of their lives at Wellington Oval next week.

Luke Horan and Isaiah O’Brien were chosen by St George’s as colts in two enforced changes the challengers made to their squad, while in Somerset Zeri Tomlinson’s decision to decamp from the east after four years as a reserve paid off as he was preferred to incumbent Steven Bremar Jr to take over wicketkeeping duties.

Tomlinson was one of three colts chosen by Somerset, alongside batters Alex Dore and Dalin Richardson.

Former vice-captain Alje Richardson had been ruled out by injury, but Jermal Proctor was dropped after making his first appearance last year.

Dalin Richardson had been knocking on the door at Somerset for several years, including scoring a century in the 2018 final trial without selection, before leaving to ultimately captain Southampton Rangers.

He featured prominently in last season’s game of the year, Colts Cup Match, which contained several of the newcomers appearing in the 2025 Annual Classic.

His century as captain appeared to be carrying Somerset over the line before Horan engineered a quite sensation recovery for the champions with a spell of six for one as St George’s claimed a dramatic one-run victory.

They get to lock horns again on Thursday and Friday.

The challengers’ determination to retain favour with the injured Luke Fulton was reflected in him being named in the squad as a reserve. The fast bowler misses out from first-team selection while he rehabilitates a right shoulder injury that is expected to take several months.