Raynor's XI 126 Woolridge's XI 128-6 Despite the 1998 match being hit by rain and this year's event lacking any top overseas names for the first time in its five-year history, event organiser St Clair (Brinky) Tucker is determined the annual testimonial match is here to stay.

So determined, in fact, that already Tucker is talking about bringing in the most successful opening batting pair in Test match history, West Indies duo Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes, next year.

Haynes was initially lined up this year but had to pull out because of Malcolm Marshall's wedding. Late replacement, Greenidge, also then became unavailable as did former West Indies captain Ritchie Richardson who suffered a broken leg in a football match in Antigua.

But even without a major draw, Saturday's match at Lord's still proved successful, with a good crowd turning out to see Randall (Bubba) Woolridge's team beat Lee Raynor's XI by four wickets.

It hadn't been a good week with Hurricane Gert flooding the eastern end of the ground as salt water from the nearby shoreline killed a large portion of the grass.

"St. David's Cricket Club had the field in immaculate condition, bearing in mind that on Tuesday the field was in terrible shape due to Gert, with fish flipping on the field and rocks and boulders all over the place,'' said Tucker.

"Salt water has burnt a lot of the grass but we are not discouraged.

Hopefully next year, with the contact we have now, we hope to have the two best opening batsmen the world has seen in a long time.'' Tucker has also not ruled a third former West Indies player, batsman Richardson, provided sponsorship can be found to help cover his expenses. In the past the likes of Phil Simmons, Gus Logie, Joel Garner, Phil DeFreitas, Ian Bishop and Bermuda great Clarence Parfitt have all made appearances and Tucker is looking to continue that trend.

"The corporate sector has come forward to assist with sponsoring players of that calibre so we can only look for better and brighter things,'' said Tucker.

Tucker expressed gratitude to those who made this year's event a success, from the host club, players, umpires and companies who donated products.

This year the past players honoured were Arnin (Sam Porgy) Smith, a former Somerset Cup Match player who was at the ground to celebrate his 92nd birthday on Saturday, Carl Simmons, another former Somerset player and well known umpire, and Ronnie Osborne who was an outstanding batsman and slow bowler from the 1940s to the '60s.

Testimonial here to stay From Page 27 "There is no turning back, these people who have been honoured should have been done years ago,'' said Tucker.

"Through Custerfield Crockwell and others, including myself, who had the foresight to get it started, it will continue.

"Last year when we brought in Ian Bishop it rained half the day and saturated the field but people wouldn't leave. But they were fortunate enough to see Ian bowl.'' On the playing side this year, opening batsman Stephen West was the top scorer for Raynor's XI with 35 from 88 balls including four boundaries. The team found runs hard to come by against some good bowling from the Woolridge team, led by George Rock, as they slumped to 91-7 with the next six batsmen in the order all failing to reach double figures.

Next highest scorer was number eight Barry Walkes with 26 not out while Clyde Best, at number nine, scored 12. The pair added 27 valuable runs for the eighth wicket to post the 100.

Rock bowled seven tight overs to finish with three for 20 while Arthur Pitcher took two for 21 from five overs. Eldon Raynor gave away just 20 in his eight overs and Charles Fubler 18 from eight, both taking one wicket.

Woolridge's team were coasting to victory at 96-4 before three wickets fell in the space of 10 runs to make it interesting. Eldon Raynor (17 not out) and Fubler (three not out) put on 22 for the unbroken seventh wicket to secure victory with 4.1 overs remaining.

Batting honours, however, went to Arthur Pitcher who blasted 49, hitting four fours and three sixes using his nephew OJ Pitcher's bat. Brother Oliver, who opened the innings with Gerald Bean, added 24 as he and Arthur put on 56 for the third wicket to lead the recovery from 5-2 after just three overs.

No bowler for Raynor's team claimed more than one wicket, though Bernard Brangman was the most economical, taking one for 20 from his eight overs.

Captain Lee Raynor entertained the crowd by taking his trademark long run up from near the sightscreen. He was rewarded with the wicket of opposing captain Woolridge who fell to a smart catch in the slips by Best. Raynor finished with one for three from three overs.