In the aftermath of Somerset Cricket Club’s commanding Cup Match victory over St. George’s by an innings and 90 runs, Curtis Dickinson has praised not only the champions’ on-field performance but also the overwhelming sense of community, patience and responsibility displayed throughout the holiday classic.
Speaking with TNN News while visiting the campsite at Long Bay on Saturday morning, Dickinson said he and his wife had to visit friends in Somerset.
“We came up because we had to deconstruct our camp that we had over the course of the last couple of days for Cup Match,” Dickinson said. “One of my guilty pleasures is a nice piece of fried chicken, especially fried chicken wings, so we came to Long Bay to check out the campers, put our feet in the water and then head back home.”
Reflecting on the delayed start to the annual classic, Dickinson commended Somerset Cricket Club officials for placing public safety above all else after concerns over scaffolding and temporary structures delayed the opening of play.
“Big kudos to the team at Somerset Cricket Club for putting safety first and realizing that we had some issues with the scaffolding and working to address them,” he said.
Dickinson recalled arriving at approximately 9:30 a.m. with his wife and spending more than four hours waiting outside the gates with hundreds of other spectators.
Despite the lengthy delay, he said the atmosphere remained positive.
“It was an amazing thing to be a part of and to observe. People’s attitudes were tremendous. There was a tremendous sense of community that permeated the entire Cup Match weekend. We had old and young alike, Bermudian and non-Bermudian, Black and white. It didn’t matter. People were patient while the club dealt with the safety issues.”
He also praised security personnel for accommodating elderly spectators after requests were made to assist seniors who had been standing in long queues.
While celebrating Somerset’s convincing triumph over St. George’s—described by many as one of the heaviest defeats in the history of the annual classic—Dickinson said the cricket itself was only part of what made the weekend memorable.
“The outcome of the match was the cherry on the sundae,” he said. “The more substantive piece was the tremendous sense of community we had over Thursday and Friday. Kudos to both Somerset and St. George’s, the cricketers and everyone who attended.”
With one days of the Cup Match holiday still remaining, Dickinson also encouraged the public to continue celebrating responsibly.
He noted that emergency services, including police, firefighters and hospital staff, had remained busy but that the holiday had largely been free of major incidents.
“We urged people before Cup Match to be responsible and respectful,” Dickinson said. “I’m encouraged that over the last few days it’s been largely uneventful with respect to bad situations. My hope is that people continue in that same spirit over the remainder of the holiday weekend.”
He urged residents to avoid drinking and driving and to intervene if friends or family members were unfit to get behind the wheel.
“If someone has had a little too much fun and is unable to operate their vehicle responsibly, take their keys and help them get a ride home,” he said. “No one wants to receive that unfortunate call that someone has been involved in a serious accident or lost their life because of irresponsible behaviour.”
Dickinson concluded with a final reminder for everyone enjoying the Cup Match festivities: “If you’re going to drink, be responsible. Don’t drink and drive. The life you save could be your own. Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend.”
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