The weather looks great and the squads from the east and west are set to clash. It's Cup Match, Bermuda's annual break from the rigours of the working world, and The Royal Gazette has been out in the streets of Hamilton to find out how people plan to spend the extra-long weekend.

Roslie Davis of Sandys Parish says she'll be working over the holiday. As a telephone operator at Telco Ms Davis will have to work one day and one night over Thursday and Friday.

"Fortunately I'll be working days on Thursday so I can catch a bit of the game in the evening. I have my family coming back from Europe and they'll probably go to the grounds to see a little of the game.'' Vince Whitter, of Warwick Parish said: "I'm not interested in Cup Match.

There's too many people and it's too hot to be in a crowd. I'll be on the beach for sure. I'm a Somerset fan though. I'm sure some of my family and friends will be going.'' Peter Simmons, 49-years-old of Smith's Parish said: "I'll be leaving the Island for a short trip to Jamaica. I used to follow the matches all the time.

My team is Somerset though I'm really from St. George's. My mom is from the east and my dad is from the west so I've been sort of caught in the middle. I finally decided to side with Somerset because my sister and brother live there and I like the colours.'' Paul Joy of Pembroke Parish said: "I work in the hotel business so I'll be working for the weekend. I'll be cheering for St. George's, I guess, because I used to live there. I've been to a few matches but have never lasted the duration. It's good to have other activities anyway.'' Clifford Sampson of Hamilton Parish said: "I'm never sure if I'm going to Cup Match or not. It depends on when I get up and how I feel. I take it one day at a time. If I feel like taking a little boat trip then I'll do so. As long as it's a good game it doesn't make any difference to me who wins, though I've been a St. George's fan for a long time.'' Chris Buchanan, a Canadian living in St. George's said: "I've been here a few years and will definitely be going to the match, but I'll be sailing most of the time. I'm pulling for St. George's because that's where I live -- it's a bit like the Toronto/Montreal hockey matches in Canada. Both teams have a strong following and there's lot of friendly rivalry. I think the games are too long though; when you're sitting out there all day in that heat -- oh boy.

It's only the devotees that last the duration.'' Rahleemah Smith of Pembroke Parish said: "I'll be working for the entire weekend but I may go see a bit of it in the evening. I used to be a St.

George's fan but now I don't know. I'm not a Somerset fan for sure. I feel depressed because I've never worked on a holiday before. Now I have to work every holiday this year.'' Dexter Basden, captain of the Somerset team, said: "It's lovely cricket. I love the game and I don't work for nobody on Cup Match weekend. I'll be skippering Somerset and it's Somerset all the way.'' Emilio Barbieri, Southampton Parish said: "I work in the hospitality business and will be working, though I hope to make the match on Thursday. My family and friends will be taking it easy for the weekend, you know hanging loose around the house, going to the beaches, soaking up the sun. It looks like it'll be a beautiful weekend. I'm going to try to get out to play some Crown and Anchor on Thursday -- you can only do it once a year so you might as well take advantage of it.'' Lutika Goins, 10-years-old, of Paget Parish said: "The first day of Cup Match I'm going picnicking with my family. We're going to Clearwater and might go camping. We'll go to the match on Friday and I'll be cheering for Somerset.

Somerset's a better parish. We friends from Canada visiting too.'' Jillian Lounsbury of Devonshire Parish said: "I'll probably go on Friday but I'll see what I feel like when I wake up. I'm going for the Crown and Anchor -- I like to gamble but just a little, not too much. I'm just going to see the people and meet friends.'' Roger Butterfield of Southampton said: "I'll be going beach camping with my two sons, daughter and wife out at Daniel's Head but we'll be listening to the match on the radio and if it sounds like an exciting game we'll pop out there.

We traditionally go camping. I'm going to be cheering for St. George's, of course, they're the better team. On paper they seem to be more balanced.'' Chris Buchanan Rosalie Davis Paul Joy Clifford Sampson Rahleemah Smith Vince Whitter