Bermuda?s goal to become the dominant team in the Americas region came to fruition over the weekend when the Island?s senior national cricket team clinched the 2006 Americas Championships for the first time in history in Toronto.

And moments after receiving the trophy from ICC Americas Development manager Martin Vieira, Bermuda skipper told those gathered at the award ceremony, it ?feels so good? to be the best in the region..

?I am very proud because we have now achieved one of our primary objectives, and that was to be champion of the Associate countries,? said skipper Romaine, who praised his team-mates throughout the tournament for their commitment.

In the wake of last month?s ill-fated venture in the Stanford 20-20 Tournament, Bermuda allrounder said his team?s recent Americas triumph should help ease some of the pains caused by a disappointing performance in Antigua.

?This one is for all the people who doubted us after the Antigua episode,? Cann said.

?We are the best in the Americas, we are bringing home the bacon and I hope everyone enjoys it.?

Team manager , said: ?We thank everyone in Bermuda for their support. It has been a long three weeks away from home, and these fellows have put in a lot of hard work.

?But they?ve done it . . . and we are now the champions!?

Long-serving Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association (BCUA) executives and also heaped praise on Bermuda?s victorious national cricket team.

Francis, Butler and Roger Dill all officiated in the tournament in Toronto and also attended various related seminars.

?I saw some good performances and I am very proud to be here amongst the players because I thought they did quite well,? Butler said.

?So often we have had to read about almost getting there. However, this time I witnessed it, and I?m very proud to have been here.?

Francis was also moved by Bermuda?s ?fascinating? achievement.

?You always want to return home with a winning team,? he said. ?This is just a great feeling.?

Veteran batsman noted: ?I think the guys have showed true character after coming off a loss in the first game against Argentina.?

Batsman stated: ?It was a just a pleasure to be out here to observe others mature as batsmen and cricketers.?

Pitcher?s Somerset Cup Match team-mate , said: ?It feels great to win this tournament with my team-mates and everything else.? Bermuda leg spinner , stated: ?This is an honour for us to become Americas champions for the first time.

?We played as a unit and that was the key thing for us. When it came to crunch time we all pulled together.?

Opening batsman added: ?Personally this was a very good tournament for me. But at the end we got a victory and that to me was the most important thing.?