Steven Bremar has been awarded the Bermuda Friendly Societies Association’s 15th annual Cup Match Sportsmanship Award for his deportment on his debut for Somerset.

Bremar, 29, got the vote from Emmerson Carrington and Melvin Best, the two Cup Match umpires, for his response to an incident late in the second day when he urged some of the St George’s players to leave the field as Somerset closed in on an innings victory.

“On the second day of Cup Match, during the St George’s innings when they were batting to save the match, a number of St George’s players came on to the field in an apparent effort to delay an inevitable Somerset victory,” Carrington told last night’s audience at Manchester Unity Hall in Hamilton.

“This individual was fielding near the boundary and calmly persuaded these players to leave the field, using friendly hugs, even after one player knocked off his hat. He never responded aggressively, even in the face of that obvious provocation, but picked his hat up and continued fielding.

“Play was able to continue without incident or umpire intervention. For his act of discipline and calmness in this situation the umpires select Mr Steven Bremar for the Sportsmanship Award.”

Allen Richardson, a former St George’s Cup Match player, was the guest speaker while Dexter Basden, a former Somerset captain, was the presenter of the award.

Bremar, who will captain Cleveland County in the Eastern Counties Cup second round against Flatts Victoria tomorrow, was honoured to win the award.

Lovitta Foggo, the acting sports minister, his former teacher at Berkeley Institute, and Vashun Blanchette, the Somerset president, were among those in attendance.

“I actually went to training early tonight because of this function,” said Bremar, who later returned to his club to select Cleveland’s team for this weekend’s match. I want to thank the Bermuda Friendly Societies Association for making me eligible and picking me for this award,” Bremar said.

“I’m not a big speaker, I am a captain but I don’t like to speak. I’d like to thank my mother and father for pushing me the whole way and always being there for me.

“And people like Mr Richardson, Mr Basden for always looking out for me during my cricketing career. As Mr Richardson said, I’m the light and I would like to pass that light to the young players coming up.”

Bremar said the award caught him by surprise. “When they first called me I didn’t even know what the award was for,” he said. “Now I’m hearing about the incident from the umpires, yes, it’s a nice award to receive.”

The award dates back to 2004, with Clay Smith of St George’s the first winner. It is presented by the six lodges in Bermuda — the Loyal Mayflower Lodge, the Loyal Flower of the Day Lodge, the Princess Royal Union Lodge, Alexandrina Lodge, the Household of Ruth and the Loyal Irresistible Lodge.

The two lodges from the East End and West End of the island planted the seed for Cup Match after a cricket match between the two Friendly Societies in 1901, when John “Hotter” Symonds suggested that the teams play for an annual trophy.

Members of the Friendly Societies and Lodges raised funds and in 1902 a silver cup was purchased and played for annually.

“This association was built on a tradition of mutual friendship which began decades previously with the formation of the Friendly Societies council,” explained member Wendy Frith.

“On August 2004, the Sportsmanship Award was revealed, which was an honour bestowed upon the Cup Match player who amplified the best sportsmanship at the Cup Match classic, an example of the principle of friendship, love and truth. Principles that the Friendly Societies hold dear.”