While many Bailey's Bay fans questioned their team's ability to climb the cricketing Everest of 281 runs which loomed large in front of them on Saturday, the 11 men shouldering the team's honour against St. David's never doubted they would reach the summit and clinch the Eastern Counties Cup.

The memory of Dennis Pilgrim's match-winning six sailing over long-off still fresh in his mind, victorious captain Irving Romaine said surpassing the St. David's target, by scoring 283-5, proved his team was "loaded with potential".

"We knew we had the potential for this kind of performance from the beginning of the season but we had some obstacles, like players getting suspended. Jermaine Warner came back today with a good 80. If we had him all season we probably wouldn't be relegated.

"Hats off to both our openers. They were outstanding. After that opening stand there was no stopping us. It's great to win County Cup. It's so special, especially after what we've been through," he said, grinning widely and basking in the glory.

Romaine, who assumed the mantle of leadership following Corey Hill's resignation, disclosed his main goal was "getting everybody together and enjoying our cricket".

"This is what happens when you enjoy your cricket," he declared as fans began a night-long celebration at their Sea Breeze Oval clubhouse.

He saluted the efforts of Bailey's Bay's batting heroes - Warner (80), Dennis Trott (76) and guest player Charlie Marshall (77 not out). The first two laid the foundation with 165-run opening partnership while Marshall, helped by Pilgrim, took the team to the mountaintop.

"It's been a great day, especially for cricket in Bermuda and for the Bailey's Bay community. I had to use all my experience to win this game but I never doubted we could win. Our openers set it up for us and they deserve to share the Man-of-the-Match award. I was very impressed with them," said the official Man-of-the-Match Marshall.

Warner - suspended for most of the season - was understandably emotional about his unforgettable comeback.

"It felt very good coming back in this big match. The last few weeks I have been training and everything has been positive and today, with the experience of Charlie Marshall, we showed that 281 is possible.

"Dennis (Trott) and I were just trying to middle the ball for the first ten overs - not go for a lot of big shots - and then pick it up later and that's what we did.

"I can't tell you how great this feels. Having to watch my team struggle this season and not being able to do anything was hard. Sometimes I didn't even bother to come to the games. Yes, we got relegated but this makes up for a whole lot, especially contributing to our win."

Trott described the victory as "a dream come true" and thanked the fans for sticking with Bailey's Bay despite the disappointing season.

"Today we were able to show them the best of Bailey's Bay. I will remember this a long time," he noted, adding that both he and Warner capitalised on early drop chances.

Pilgrim, the vice-captain, agreed the team had been able "to put it all together" at the right time despite a dismal Premier League showing.

"The challenge, he noted, is to ensure they get their act together consistently next year and are promoted to the top-flight cricket again.

"Hopefully a lot of the guys will stay with us in First Division. I am going to train harder and I hope the team can be more disciplined too."

Following his part in Somerset's Cup Match triumph and his nomination for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, Pilgrim acknowledged regaining the Eastern Counties championship which they relinquished to St. David's in 1997 - and smashing the final boundary - have added to a personally satisfying campaign.

"I've had a great year. It was great to hit the winning runs. I've seen it in international cricket and I got the opportunity to do it so I seized the moment. He (Sammy Robinson) pitched it up and I took advantage of it."

Dejected-looking St. David's skipper Clay Smith was gracious in defeat, admitting he felt they had a winning score.

"I take my hat off to Bailey's Bay. Those guys played well. I thought after making 281 we had the mental edge but their batsmen really applied themselves and took it to us. We didn't have a good day in the field and when you drop the catches we dropped, it's going to cost you. We were never able to rebound."

Saying he "knew Charlie was the key wicket", Smith noted that dismissing the flamboyant left-hander would have "built pressure on the rest of the players".

Smith found some solace in his team's effort with the bat, adding that "everybody chipped in".

"If you had told me that I was going to get 281 to defend I would have taken it any day."

His team-mate and all-rounder, Herbie Bascome - the only bowler to give Bailey's Bay any trouble - noted his captain could not find another bowler to stem the flow of runs at the other end.

"I was trying to pick up wickets and the skipper was trying to find somebody to contain them because, at one stage, that was the most important thing. But, the skipper couldn't find anybody to partner me. That's the way the game goes. I tried but you need somebody at the other end, supporting you. It has to be a team effort," said the dreadlocked veteran.

One man who was possibly the most aggrieved by the result was St. David's right-arm spinner Del Hollis.

Suspended for two matches, he watched helplessly from the sidelines as his team - the favourites - saw their five-year reign end.

"It really hurt. This is the second time I have not been picked and they lost the (Eastern Counties) trophy. I feel really bad. If I had been in the team I feel I could have made a difference - bringing them together and livening them up. They looked flat in the field," he said.

While emotions contrasted distinctly on both sides, there was one matter on which everyone concurred - it was one of the best matches ever.