SCC Captain Jordan DeSilvaSomerset Cricket Club nailed a two-to-one Cup Match victory on Friday, the first victory in seven years, and the first two-to-one win by 34 runs since 1948.
In what 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 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.
DeSilva also commended Stephen Outerbridge and Tre Manders.
“Bowling-wise we did it the hard way and we did it today – yes 16 wickets today,” he said.
To his St George’s counterpart, he said: “To Macai, as always your team hung in right to the end.”
He also commended Onias Bascome for his “excellent innings”. But he said: “The most important announcement – the champion motorcade begins from SCC and you’re all welcome to join in at 2pm.”
The cup was presented by Governor John Rankin before a massive crowd at the club at 8:32pm. The Governor, in his opening remarks, congratulated the club and staff for the “fabulous job done”.
“This has been my second Cup Match, it’s been a brilliant event to remember emancipation most of all,” he said, while congratulating Onias Bascome on his “marvellous century” and SCC for playing “a great game” that ended with “a wonderful win”.
St George’s Cricket Club President, Neil Paynter said: “It’a nice to see so many people embracing the festivities at SCC and I congratulate SCC for doing a fine job.
St George’s Cricket Club President, Neil Paynter“To my team, you fought the hard fight and you stuck to the wicket. I heard the two-to-one, at least they know how to count, but at the end of the day I respect my team because this game could have been over early and my team stood the challenge.”
To SCC President Vashun Blanchette, he added: “This is your first year and you’re 1 and 0, I’ve been President for 17 years.
“This is one thing unique to Bermuda, this is our celebration, our holiday.,” said Mr Paynter.
“I want to thank my skipper and to Onias, thank you for showing the heart of a lion.”
SCC President Vashun Blanchette, in his opening remarks said: “I want to thank the membership and the community for having faith in me.
SCC President, Vashun BlanchetteAnd he stated outright, that when it comes to SCC’s lead Cup Match team coach, Jeff Richardson, that it was “time for the powers that be to consider his coaching potential and make him a national coach”.
Admittedly, he told the crowd gathered for the cup presentation, 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.”
Fo
rmer Cup Match Captain Jekon Edness, who brought the cup back to Somerset in 2012, said: “After twelve years of playing Cup Match, to my team thank for staying together from 2011 when I first took over to what we’ve developed into today.
rmer Cup Match Captain Jekon Edness, who brought the cup back to Somerset in 2012, said: “After twelve years of playing Cup Match, to my team thank for staying together from 2011 when I first took over to what we’ve developed into today.“To Jordan, I had no problem passing the reigns over to him and as you can say he has made history here today.
“Jeff shed a few tears today but it wouldn’t have happened without Jeff,” he added.
“I was a colt in 2006 and we lost! They beat us by eight wickets and we went through five or six years of being beaten and that gave us motivation. And I hope what happened here today is motivation for you.
“SCC is the epitome of a team but please keep in mind St George’s is coming! I don’t know when but they’re coming, so you cannot be complacent.”
St George’s Captain Macai Simmons added: “Yes you beat us two-to-one and it hurts, but we are not giving up!”
He also congratulated his batsman, Onias for being the “only one to make 100 in the 2018 Cup Match”.
“It wasn’t easy but we stuck in it. To my team I love you and I know you got my back. We got a nice young team and we’re coming for Somerset.”
