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Beaten . . . but St. George's showed plenty of character

I have to give credit where credit is due. This past weekend in the Belco Cup, St.George's played like the St.George's of the old with guts and determination, but most of all they showed character.

A week after being blown away by St.David's, scoring a mere 28, many did not give St.George's a chance of winning their semi-final clash.

However, being a St.Georgian myself I know what a semi-final clash against St.David's represents for St.George's, especially in the Belco Cup.

Years ago, when it was called the Camel Cup, St.George's used to do what Rangers are now doing and that is dominate.

St.George's have a history of doing well in this tournament and after winning the semi-final I really thought they would win it all. In essence, St.George's should have won the final and I am sure that they are disappointed, but they should hold their heads up high for putting forward a more than credible effort.

As the game reached its climax, I felt as if I were back in time some 10 or 15 years ago. Even I was touched listening to the old St.George's boys blowing bottles, tapping on whatever they could find and singing their hearts out in anticipation of a victory.

I was 100 percent sure the experience of Herbie Bascome and Gregg Foggo would have won them the game, but it just goes to show what pressure can do. You never know how you will respond until you are put in that type of situation.

I must also take my hat off to Southampton Rangers. In my eyes this team have over achieved thus far. Having lost Dwayne Leverock, Curtis Jackson and Treddie Simpson, I was sure they would struggle, but that is not the case.

Rangers are worthy champions and will gain a lot of confidence from winning this tournament. I always say winning is a habit. Once you know how to win, it will always be hard for other teams to beat you, especially in big games.

My mate, Kevin Hurdle of Social Club, was obviously offended by my predictions earlier in the season when I said Social Club will be a mid table team and if they are not careful they could be fighting for relegation.

His comments in the Bermuda Sun clearly showed that he wanted his Social Club team to win the Belco Cup in an effort to prove me wrong, but they were totally outclassed.

Hurdle learned a valuable lesson this past weekend and that is, if you want respect you have to earn it.

It is hard for me to give them credit for last year's league title because St.David's at times played several games without five of their key players who were representing Bermuda, but still almost pipped them for the title. Had it not been for a controversial decision that went their way, things would have been different.

So I challenge Hurdle and Social Club – if you want Bermuda's respect and mine, do it again and show that you are not a one-year wonder.

Then on to the team that everyone expected to win it all, St.David's.

What is really going on down there? I know they just won the 20/20, but since then they have lost three out of their last four games causing some fans to call for OJ to take over the captaincy.

It just goes to show how important one player can be, because they miss OJ Pitcher in their middle order. He is their rock!

I know people focus on Chris Foggo because of his awesome batting talent, but OJ is the one who makes this team tick and without him they will continue to struggle.

Overall this Belco Cup was one of the most exciting for years and will be remembered as the game St.George's lost not the game Southampton Rangers won.

Who will be next year's Belco Cup teams? In one of my earlier columns I predicted Cleveland, Police, Somerset and St.David's, but it looks like Southampton Rangers want to have a say after their gritty display.

I am glad to see that my columns have sparked the interest of players as several of them have indicated they want to prove me wrong.

I challenge you to do so and also for the clubs to prove me wrong too.

This is what the sport needs – hype and excitement!

Look out for next week's column as I will peak the interest of all by comparing the past ICC World Cup qualifying team to the first-ever ICC team who finished second.