Elected just last year as the club’s youngest-ever head executive, Somerset Cricket Club President Vashun Blanchette issued a big thank you to the Bermuda community for making Bermuda’s biggest holiday and his first as the man at the helm at SCC a huge success.
Speaking the day after the annual two-day classic commemorating the Emancipation of Slavery in Bermuda, he wrote the following post on his Facebook page this morning:
“What a surreal first Cup Match as President of Somerset Cricket Club!
“I would like to thank the entire executive and management for their time, commitment and sacrifice. You are group of individuals with a passion for Club, community and country and together we were able to coordinate a first class event.
“I’m also most thankful for the support and guidance of past Presidents Reginald Pearman, Erwyn Bean, Richard Scott and Alfred Maybury. Certainly I can not forgot our late P…resident Colin Smith who in hindsight was preparing me for this leadership role as a young boy growing up around SCC.
“To the coaching staff and team, you have written yourselves into the history books. Your display over the two days was nothing less than exemplary and will be remembered for many years to come!
“To the supporters of Cup Match, whether Somerset or S. George’s, thank you for continuing to support Bermuda’s most historic and culturally significant event.”
Speaking before the massive crowd gathered for the presentation of the cup last night, the new club President also said it was high time for the powers that be to consider the potential of Somerset’s lead Cup Match coach, Jeff Richardson and “make him a National Coach”.
He also thanked the club’s membership and the community “for having faith in me”.
Admittedly, he told the crowd gathered that he was “very nervous” when it looked like Somerset would not pull off a two-to-one victory, especially when Onias Bascome scored his “very fine century”.
“I was nervous when it looked like a draw, but Dion Stovell saw to it that we got the victory that we deserved,” he said.
“To grounds staff thankyou and the public for coming through the gates and we look forward to taking out cup on a two-day tour of the Wellington Oval next year and bring back in 2020.”
This after Somerset nailed the first two-to-one Cup Match victory on Friday since 1948.
The two-to-one win by 34 runs will go down in history as Somerset’s biggest win to date.
SCC Captain Jordan DeSilva stepped to the mic and called for a big round of applause for Somerset’s record-breaking opening batsmen.
He also hailed the 153-run first-wicket partnership record between Terryn Fray and Chris Douglas that laid the groundwork for Somerset’s 378 score in the first innings for nine declared, in addition to Stephen Outerbridge and Tre Manders.
