Cup Match 2010 should enter the record books as another great one.

It was brimful of the soul force that has characterised this national event since it was instituted 110 years ago as an unadulterated celebration of freeing of the black slaves after centuries of bondage, by the August 1, 1834 Emancipation Act. And coupled with that celebration has been recognition of the landing 400 years ago of Admiral Sir George Somers and his shipwrecked English countrymen that led to the permanent settlement of Bermuda.

Weather-wise, Cup Match this year must have been reminiscent more of the stormy conditions that wrecked Admiral Somers' fleet in 1609. While the torrential rain curtailed much of the play on the pitch, it did not quench that almost indefinable Cup Match spirit pervading the Somerset Cricket Club and its surroundings.

The cricket, so far as it was enabled, was exciting and potentially suspenseful for what might have been an outright victory one way or another for the first time in some seven years. But down came the rain, interrupting play for most of the second day, and forcing an abandonment of the game entirely.

Bullish style

Credit must be given to Somerset for its bullish style all along the line in hosting the classic. Having lost the toss and been sent to bat, they declared their first innings with 220 for the loss of seven wickets. And then the St.George's Cup Holders could only surpass that that score by three runs before their entire team was back in the pavilion.

As to the finer points of the play, so far as it went, it's going to take a consummate ex-Cup Match icon like Dennis Wainwright to do the analysis; and he should be listened to; especially regarding the sledging that went on at the crease, about the umpiring and even about the deportment of some of the players.

In any case, only praise can be levelled at the management of Somerset CC for the excellent condition of the playing field. The surface was like the tip of a billiard table, as one observer put it.

Excellent management

Next, commendation is due club president Richard Scott and his team in the face of blistering criticism soldiered on during the week of preparation for the accommodation of the thousands of spectators expected at the game.

There can be no argument with the fact they showed great foresight taking the accommodation aspect to a new level. It can only be improved upon, with its double and triple-decker bleachers. Really, it is was fantastic.

There was great concern about inhibiting the flow of traffic around the field – and most importantly onto the field for the most exuberant of the fans like the late sorely missed, uninhibited Diddy Smith and others, young and old showed for decades over specific performances.

Rising star

But that was not the case, as the as that rising new star Deunte Darrell, the 17-year-old CedarBridge School student can testify.

He won the award as the most Valuable Player of the game for his 71 run hit. Darrell, a rooted St. Georgian who transplanted to Somerset, may well be another Alma (Champ) Hunt on the spectrum (certainly we need one). Alma made his early impact at age 16.