cooling out rather than attending the game. There are not many people who will argue if we say that Cup Match is not what it used to be. There are always those who complain that they prefer the match in St. George's or Somerset or wherever it is not that year. But the truth is that the attendance is down and the spirit of Cup Match and the enthusiasm for the holiday seem not to be as great as they once were.

We have overheard a number of people during the past few weeks debating whether or not to attend because they think the excitement has gone out of the cricket. Too many draws seems to be the argument and that appears to be a very valid reason. Then too, whatever happened to the string of Cup Match trial games which used to build excitement? It may be that soccer is now the national sport and interest in cricket is dwindling.

Attending Cup Match was a holiday for families, both immediate and extended families with people coming from overseas to attend. Some people simply think that attending Cup Match is now too expensive for a family. One woman told us she was not going to pay all that admission to sit out in the heat.

We heard a food supplier complaining that Cup Match is not what it used to be for food stalls because people no longer eat and drink as much as they once did. "Everyone has all this stuff all year 'round these days and they don't look forward to finding it at Cup Match like they used to.'' Then too at the game itself much of the carnival atmosphere seems to have disappeared. The exotic costumes which this newspaper used to photograph are now few and far between. Our photographers complain that they can't find enough to make a page of pictures. The idea of Cup Match outfits seems to have waned considerably. It is no longer the colourful fashion show that it used to be. The "big spend'' before Cup Match is all but over.

Gambling? Some people only go to Cup Match to gamble and have no interest in the cricket. But the "Stock Market'' is no longer the curiosity or the thrill that it used to be now that it is legal. There was something rather alluring about Crown and Anchor, a game for novice losers, when it was illegal.

Where do people go instead? Bermudians love to travel and they often take the long weekend as an opportunity to fly away or to get in a cruise or to add some days to their long holiday.

A great many people these days have boats, many of them under-used. They take to the water over Cup Match and escape from the crowds rather than attend the game. The roads have become so bad and the land crowding so great that the water is a welcome alternative.

Some people just take the quiet time to stay home, cool out and be comfortable in their own surroundings. These days the Cup Match weekend is often a time for pool parties. It is difficult to tell how many of the hundreds of campers attend the game but doubtless some just enjoy the camping.

But there is a problem here. Once an institution begins to decline it is very difficult to get it going again. Cup Match is one of Bermuda's greatest institutions.