St. George's has reclaimed its crown.

After a one-year hiatus "up the country'', Bermuda's symbol of cricket supremacy was returned to the East End thanks to an eight-wicket victory by St. George's Cricket Club over Somerset.

"What can I say; we're jubilant. Can't you hear it in here,'' St. George's Cricket Club treasurer Althea Richardson last night said, her words barely audible over the sounds of a roaring party.

"All I can say is it's come home again, and just in time because we've got the 100-year celebration coming up (in 2001) and we plan on holding it and having St. George's plastered all over it.'' While yesterday's ticket sales were yet to be tallied, Ms Richardson said a late afternoon surge of fans "easily'' brought attendance over the 5,000 mark.

And coupled with Thursday's attendance of 3,943, St. George's organisers were clearly in the clouds: "We're jubilant, very pleased with how it's gone.'' Even before the outcome of the 96th edition of Cup Match was decided a party atmosphere seemed to infuse the Wellington Oval crowd.

"The atmosphere's a lot more casual and relaxed here,'' said 21-year-old Chris Dorsey, of West Sussex, England.

And because of that the fans seem bent more on having fun rather than running a tight match, he added.

"In England they have festivals (with cricket matches), but here it seems to be a more festive mood. The people aren't in a hurry to get the game going; the attitude seems to be we're here to play, but we'll take all day if we like.'' Superior, Wisconsin's Jamiey Penney admitted to having little experience with cricket but was just as happy to sit with friends around the boundary and soak in the sunshine and the crowd.

"We've got (country) fairs in Wisconsin, but this seems a lot more relaxed.

Everyone seems to be having a great time. I love it because it's a heck of a lot warmer too,'' the photojournalist said.

Meanwhile working the crowd, a few metres shy of the main gate to Wellington Oval, were the Progressive Labour Party's Reginald Burrows, Nelson Bascome, Leon (Jimmy) Williams, and political activist Roosevelt Brown.

"It's a real Cup Match crowd'' said Mr. Bascome, between handing out PLP buttons emblazoned with election-style slogans or the face of late leader Freddie Wade.

But deep cracks in Party solidarity began to emerge when Mr. Williams proclaimed the blue on blue were well on their way to victory, drawing swift reaction from Somerset fans Messrs Burrows and Bascome.

"Look around you,'' said Mr. Williams. "It's all very jovial and people seem very happy.'' And beyond the smiles people are expecting another quality confrontation between East and West.

St. George's celebrates "The crowd is bigger and I think that's because of last year. People are looking forward to a settling of accounts,'' he said.

The PLP he said, sets up a booth whenever Cup Match is held in St. George's: "Considering the (party's) leader (Jennifer Smith) is from St. George's we feel it's right to be here.'' There can be little doubt that some of the most jovial around the Wellington Oval were the food and drink vendors, many of whom appeared to be entertaining long lines of customers.

And despite a 25 percent increase in the cost of setting up the St. David's Seafood stand, the Rev. William (Larry) Lowe and his wife Hope say it's still worth it.

"My parents used to run this stand and I've been to every Cup Match since I was five,'' said Hope.

"We've been running it now for about 28 years and sure, it costs a little more to set up, but if a guy's here to make money that's not a problem,'' added Dr. Lowe.

Dishing out conch stew was Bermuda-born, now Michigan-based cousin, Gloria (Cookie Foggo) Chruscial.

"I'm 57 years old and I've been to every Cup Match since I was a kid. I come back every year for it; my family's still in St. David's and I can't miss this, this is what Bermuda's all about.'' Across the yard, D & J Enterprises -- the self-described official suppliers of ice to Cup Match -- told The Royal Gazette they were enjoying one of their best years in memory.

"We've sold over 800 bags of ice (to vendors and gaming table operators) in just two days,'' said Dennis Richardson. "We've been up since 3 a.m. and won't finish until about 9 p.m., but it's been wonderful.'' Meanwhile business was booming and the temperature was rising with the crush of bodies packed under the Crown and Anchor tent. And earlier grumbling by operators about the high cost of setting up a table was all but lost to the sound of money changing hands.