barrage of calls for more excitement.

The historical highlight of Bermuda's sporting calendar drew one of the lowest ever crowds this year.

Despite glorious July sunshine, many fun-seekers gave the St. George's Wellington Oval ground a miss.

And it left organisers scratching their heads for an explanation.

"I expect the slowness of the cricket was a factor,'' said Mr. Cleveland Foggo, St. George's Cricket club president.

"It was clear fairly early on the most likely result was a draw.'' Mr. Foggo believed many were also tightening purse-strings in the recession, or going camping instead.

One cricket fan, Mr. Vance Gilbert, told The Royal Gazette : "It has become really boring. Something needs to be done.'' Mr. Gilbert suggested a three-day match -- or an hour's extension to each day's play.

Just 4,500 people are estimated to have turned up on the Thursday.

And around the same number turned up on Friday, traditionally the biggest crowd-puller, to watch the game peter out in a tame draw.

For fun-lovers, however, who made the annual Cup Match trek, a host of traditional entertainment was on offer.

Cricket may have been slow -- but at least there was the chance to see a record-breaking double century partnership.

And, of course, it wasn't just an occasion for sports fans.

Many turned up in brightly-coloured gear, sporting caps to tell the world their favourite team.

It was the chance to outdo your pals in the outrageous stakes! Hundreds, too, crammed the Crown and Anchor marquee on both days, hoping for a lucky throw of the dice.

For most it was their one chance this year to have a modest -- or even not so modest -- flutter.

"The way things are going there is no recession at all in Bermuda,'' exclaimed teller Mr. Stephen Smith, fanning out a wad of 10 and 20 dollar notes.

"We have been pretty busy, and from my point of view I've got no complaints.

It's been great.'' Food stalls also reported a hectic trade, with fish, shrimps, lobsters, mussels and even bacon and eggs proving particularly popular.

Ms Lavonne Hodsoll, whose grandfather, Alfred, runs "Hodsics Cafe'', was rushed off her feet on the Friday.

"We are doing really well. Fish and shrimps are going fast,'' she said.

Ms Judith Hunt, co-owner of "Blondyo's `n' Judy's'', told a similar story.

"Bacon and eggs are probably the most popular,'' she commented, as she dealt with a line of customers.

Forty-year-old Mr. Stan Beaver has cut out a holiday living by weaving around the spectators on the stands, selling snowballs and peanuts.

"I'm really like a waiter. Nobody else walks around serving people,'' he said.

"I'm doing what I first did as a little boy. When I was 14 or 15 I would go around selling snowballs.'' For many youngsters the amusement and game stalls, were an absolute must.

Mr. Desmond Trott, who runs "3 The Hard Way Video Arcade'', had his work cut out supervising young video buffs.

"It's been quite a job,'' he said.

If the dazzling lights of a video machine weren't enough, then there was always plenty of fun to be had on a clown bounce -- a variation on the traditional bouncy castle.

And if that failed to amuse, then how about shooting your pals with a water pistol? Ms Derika Furbert and Ms Gloria Spence, from the Country Candy stall, were soon sold out of miniature weaponry.

"The water guns went in about an hour and a half,'' said Derika.

A novel feature of this year's event was a special visitors' stand set up by the Department of Tourism.

American stockbroker Mr. John Hamilton and his wife, Pam, a teacher, were among those puzzling over the intricacies of cricket.

Although he has been here eight times, it is Mr. Hamilton's first Cup Match.

"I've seen it played in Toronto, but I've only a little understanding of it,'' he said.

"I don't find it at all boring. I think if you love sports, you will be prepared to learn the rules.

"I'm sure cricket is played in some clubs in America, but it has to compete with baseball and a lot of racket type sports.'' CAPTAIN FANTASTIC -- St. George's captain Wendell Smith, who plundered 129 in his team's first innings and 59 in the second, holds aloft the prestigious Cup Match trophy. His club retained the cup after drawing with Somerset at Wellington Oval yesterday. Mr. Smith achieved the highest ever aggregate score in Cup Match, taking his total to 993 runs.