Even though we did not get the result we wanted, the wait to finally make my Eastern Counties debut was worth it. Saturday was one of those frustrating days with the on-and-off rain. When the weather is like that, you are never entirely sure when you’re going to get on, if you’re going to get on, how many overs are left, what the game situation looks like.

In that scenario, sometimes it could have potentially favoured St David’s if they had won the toss and we batted first. Suddenly things could’ve been a bit different, but it worked out for us in the end and it was a nice experience.

Kudos to the people who turned out at Sea Breeze Oval and made the atmosphere what it was. The match started almost six hours late, yet they were there in their numbers, creating a huge buzz!

There has always been a hype around county cup. I may not have been in Bermuda to experience it but I stayed in touch. And now seeing it up close, first-hand, lets you know the hype was real. Bailey’s Bay added a few more spots with the scaffolding and gave a rammed Sea Breeze more of a Cup Match feeling in a sense. That just goes to show how big the venue is.

The ideal scenario would have been the win the game, especially after the start we had. Macquille Walker bowled beautifully and deserved to come away with a six-wicket haul. He just may be one to watch this time next week — albeit for the other team!

When we batted, we got off to a decent start. But then St David’s bowled well. We probably could’ve taken a few more aggressive options in that little middle period, but in the end we just left ourselves too much to get. It was a bit of a learning curve for the next game, potentially, if we find ourselves in a situation like that.

I would hate to say we batted negatively, given that we scored at less than three an over in the chase, but the main objective was to retain the cup. You go into every game wanting to win. Then you have this scenario or that scenario, but in the end you have to remember why you’re there — and revert to that option when all else is lost.

Next up are Flatts on August 19, which is going to be an interesting one. They may be a First Division team but in their midst will be my good buddy, Kamau Leverock, who has the potential single-handedly to turn any game. Him aside, the occasion is so big that it doesn’t really matter what your season looked like before that. That’s the game that the Eastern Counties clubs look forward to, and I expect Flatts’ regular players and their guests to grow a few extra sizes to meet our challenge.

That is what belatedly happened to St David’s the day after what had to be a disappointing experience for them in the county cup. They found a surprising energy to have us on the ropes in the T20 league match at Lord’s — and some might say we should have suffered our first defeat of the season in all competitions after being reduced to 28 for five chasing a target of 100.

We’ve had this unbeaten run and have played some good cricket at times this year. Different people are stepping up at different times; some with the bat and some with the ball. Ultimately, we did enough to come out on the victorious side heading into the Cup Match break.

Having not played in the Annual Classic since 2014 when I was 16, this feels like a colt year again heading into the final trial this weekend. The day of the final trial speaks for itself; it’s your last opportunity to state your case, to put your name forward. Obviously, you’ve had the whole season to get runs and take wickets, but it’s one of those things that if you put your hand up in this final trial, it does go a long way.

With Cup Match in St George’s, there is a nice buzz around the club at the moment. Training has been very good and very productive, and everyone looks in pretty good order. My advice for all the hopefuls is to approach the day for what it is, try to apply your skills, and hopefully you get backed by the selectors and you get in.

Losing OJ Pitcher to injury is a blow. You can’t beat experience. OJ has done it for numerous years; not only for his club, but for Bermuda. So you definitely can’t beat that experience or replace it. But it potentially opens up a spot for somebody else. Maybe a colt or someone else coming into the team. It’s a shame for him because he would have been pushing to go again. But in the same breath, it’s exciting for someone else who might get a go.

• Delray Rawlins was talking to Dexter Smith