News that one of the Island's major cricket clubs, St. David's, are about to take off on a tour of England over the Cup Match holiday no doubt caused a few old-timers to shake their heads in disbelief.

There was a time when Cup Match was the sporting occasion of the year -- to many it still is. After all, we remain the only country in the world that has declared a two-day public holiday for a game of cricket.

Years ago the very thought of any club -- let alone one with five potential Cup Match players in its ranks -- leaving the Island on the first weekend of August would have been considered cricket sacrilege. In fact, it simply wouldn't have happened. It would never even have been considered.

Despite a noticeable drop in standards -- and enthusiasm -- over the past decade and kids having the option to partake in a much wider variety of summer sports than were previously available, Bermudians, particularly the older generation, still regard Cup Match as a game of very special significance.

Yet it seems those at St. David's don't share the same view.

Yes, their UK trip has been in the works for over a year, but a clash of dates with the summer classic was always known, and even had the blessing of Bermuda Cricket Board of Control. A glance at this year's Premier League schedule shows St. David's have conveniently been given a bye on Sunday, August 6.

While the Millennium Tournament in Durham in the north east of England in which they will compete is a highly prestigious one, do the east enders really consider it more important than a match that, historically and culturally, has few equals anywhere in the world.

Tommy Aitchison, founder of the now defunct Cricket Annual, but the only remaining authority on Cup Match records, was in these offices the other day, wondering aloud `what on earth were St. David's thinking of'. There must be a few others who have asked the same question.

Cup Match, of course, will go on and won't be any less of a spectacle through the absence of those whose allegiance lies elsewhere. In fact, their loss will be some other players' unexpected gain.

It's ironic to see that one player who has chosen not to join the tourists in order to press his claim for Cup Match selection is young OJ Pitcher -- at 16 years-old, one of our most promising talents.

Pity at his tender age he can appreciate the importance of Cup Match -- in the face of what must be a hugely attractive trip across the Atlantic -- while supposedly more mature players have opted to tour.

Let's hope the selectors in turn appreciate his loyalty.

The decision to tour, of course, is each player's prerogative, but one wonders what the respective selection committees feel about this clash of events.

Will those who decided to play in England be welcomed back next year with open arms? Or should, as some feel, they be told that if they don't need Cup Match then Cup Match certainly doesn't need them.

-- ADRIAN ROBSON