At 11.28 p.m precisely last night, Bermuda?s cricketing heroes emerged into the packed Arrivals Hall at Bermuda International Airport to be greeted by an ear-splitting crescendo of cheers, song and laughter.

Looking jaded but nonetheless elated after their long journey across the Atlantic and a gruelling four weeks of international cricket, the players clapped enthusiastically and smiled at the assembled throng as they made their way to the exit and into the arms of their jubilant loved ones.

Bermuda last week qualified for the World Cup for the first time in their history as result of their fourth-placed finish at the ICC Trophy in Ireland ? a feat being heralded by some as Bermuda?s greatest ever sporting achievement.

A great sense of excitement and anticipation had permeated through the 500-strong crowd, as they waited impatiently for the Island?s new national icons to arrive on their flight from Philadelphia ? scheduled to arrive at 10.11 p.m. but delayed for close to an hour.

Many ecstatic fans draped themselves in Bermuda flags while others sported T-shirts with the words ?Bermuda?s Heroes? emblazoned across the back. Blasts from a multitude of air horns, trumpets and conch shells pierced through the raucous hubbub.

And in a surprise and much-appreciated move, at least 20 of the Bermuda Lowriders Motorcycle Club and Association drove around the airport car park, beeping their horns and revving their engines.

Premier Alex Scott, Government Minister Walter Lister and a number of other politicians and dignitaries met the players and support staff as they came off the plane ? with Premier Scott expressing his admiration and pride in their historic achievement. But the celebrations went into overdrive as the players emerged into the open, several of them hugging and cheering with friends while a special roar was let out as a champagne bottle was opened.

Children no younger than ten could be seen leaping around with glee, while the moment proved all too much for one tiny toddler who began wailing in his mother?s arms above the din.

Meanwhile one old man, lacking his two front-teeth and clearly well inebriated by that stage of the evening turned to the crowd and screamed at the top of his voice, ?Well done Bermuda! Let?s go and get hot!? ? before tripping on the nearby pavement and falling flat on his face.

But even the nasty-looking graze on his right knee could not remove the radiant smile which was etched across his face, as he lay on his back staring up at the stars. Just before the mayhem, political activist Rolfe Commissiong, who came down to show his support for the team, said he had been ?overwhelmed? with the scale of Bermuda?s accomplishment.

?Yes I am absolutely thrilled,? he said. ?Obviously it is a singular achievement. This emotion I feel has been pent up for some time as Bermuda has waited over a quarter of a century for this. Like everybody I am just enormously proud of them. This achievement can only have very positive effects on Bermuda and it certainly has brought about a good feeling in the country.

?I?m very happy for the players ? they worked extremely hard and it is important now to get behind them and support them for 2007.?