Cup Match special

Two days off work as Bermuda grinds to a halt for a cricket match. Somerset, in the west of the island host their east end rivals St Georges in the 114th annual two day, two innings, Cup Match Classic. I don’t know many other countries that shut down for a cricket match but no one is complaining as people either head for the sweaty confines of Somerset Cricket Club (photo) to drink, gamble and party (the cricket is a bit of a side show), or laze around someone’s pool drinking, take a boat out on the water and drink, camp around the island, drinking, or disappear of the island on holiday. Which probably, if you are me, involves drinking. Please don’t judge.

Today, the Thursday, is more officially known as Emancipation Day, marking the freedom of Bermuda’s slaves, and Friday is Somers Day, named in honour of Bermuda’s founder, Sir George. The second day only being granted a public holiday in 1999, 52 years after the Thursday was officially recognised – largely due to the massive popularity of the game and also the fact that no one actually showed up for work.

I have tickets for tomorrow but I am beginning to think of giving it a swerve to sit in a cool swimming pool instead. Possibly with a drink.

For those interested in the cricket game. After the first day. Somerset are 185-4 in reply to St. George’s who declared their first innings at 230-9 declared.

You can follow live updates of the game here.