For the first time, thousands of fans entering the Somerset Cricket Club ground for Cup Match 2004 had to go through metal detectors and if they had bags, they had to be searched.

The guard at the main gate said: "Take out your guns and machetes", but he was only joking because there were lots of Police all around the ground.

Despite the high security and baking heat, the annual classic took place in a happy, carnival atmosphere and the only turf rivalries seen around the stands this holiday were between cricket fans.

Two friends lapped up the cricket, food and music together even though one was a St. George's fan and her friend supported Somerset.

"I love Cup Match. We have been friends for 23 years and this is the only time we fight," the Somerset fan joked.

Music was playing, air horns blowing, drums beating and trumpets blaring and the blues of St. George's and the red and blue of Somerset were everywhere.

A constant flash of colour buzzed around the spectators as they fanned themselves with little advertisements for bottled water and a radio station that had been given out free the day before.

Jovianna Douglas used one to cool down from the terrific heat.

Ms Douglas said she loved Cup Match too but it "would have been better if St. George's was winning".

She said that on Thursday, the searches at the gate were "irritating" but she did not mind yesterday, because they got to the ground early in the morning.

And it was a diverse crowd at the game this year, with both locals and visitors soaking up this uniquely Bermudian celebration of the summer of freedom.

One visitor and his family from England said he was having fun watching the game, but was not so certain if his children were enjoying it, because they were about to fall asleep.

A man whose nickname around the crown and anchor table is "Ninja" said he ran a crown and anchor table for the last 16 years, "ever since he was 13. But my first board wasn't that good", he said.

He said he works at his table from about 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and said what he loved about Cup Match, was "the Elizabeths" as he held up the wad of cash he just won.

The general mood for this year's two day event was that no matter whether they came for the cricket, gambling, music or food, violence did not spoil the happy carnival mood for Cup Match 2004 and it is safe to say that a good time was had by all.