Cup Match 2013 in many people’s eyes will be remembered as the game when rain saved St George’s from a possible 2-1, or at least a dominant Somerset victory.In a game that was dominated from start to finish by Somerset, St George’s managed to walk away with their heads held high and their home record still intact thanks to some disciplined batting by Lionel Cann and Rodney Trott.Somerset are to be applauded as they appear to be going from strength to strength, while St George’s have taken what I deem as hasty measures to try to counteract last year’s horrendous performance.What Somerset have is a close knit team and looking at that team it will take a very strong St George’s side to wrestle the cup back.The way things are going unless drastic changes are made I cannot see St George’s beating them for a quite a while. Somerset have a clear game plan, a vision on how they want to play the game and they are very confident in their ability.When I heard Somerset had won the toss and chose to bat that was a clear indication to St George’s, saying that we (Somerset) do not fear you and we back ourselves to post a good score.It will be difficult for any player to break into that Somerset team and to think they can get even stronger with the additions of Dion Stovell and Deonte Darrell.However, the team they have is extremely close knit, like a family, and they play for each other, they work hard for each other, and they have a strong desire, a will to win.Somerset’s head coach Jeff Richardson thinks his team deserve more respect. Maybe they do, but respect is earned not given and St George’s can proudly say we have only been beaten once at Wellington Oval in the last 50 years.So if you and the rest of the Somerset team want respect you will have to beat us at Wellington Oval in our backyard, it’s that simple.In my opinion, the exclusion of Delyone Borden, George O’Brien and Jason Anderson was shocking and had a big impact on the mentality of the team. They say it is time to rebuild but why are we rebuilding when these guys can still give you another five years or more easily?Two years ago we defeated Somerset at Wellington Oval and we should have thrashed them, but they fought back to make it close. However, how does a team go from being so strong and dominant and then, because they lose one Cup Match, all of a sudden needs to rebuild?St George’s have to go back to the drawing board and look at their philosophy. Are they trying to win the cup back next year or are they planning for five years down the road?St George’s fans deserve a much better display than what they saw from their players. Questions have to be asked about the tactics. Did the players follow the game plan? What was plan B in case things didn’t go according to plan?From the outside looking in, the body language of the players on the field was dead after the first 30 minutes when they failed to get a wicket. Why did Rodney Trott, the best bowler, only bowl 11 overs? Why did OJ Pitcher not bowl when he is one of St David’s main bowlers?One thing I do realise is that as a team, as selectors, as coaches, and as a captain you are not going to get every decision right, but you have to be seen as trying to do the right things and over the two days of Cup Match, St George’s weren’t seen trying.It’s almost as if when Somerset got on top we laid down and accepted it. I didn’t see any fight or true St George’s determination. I saw more effort in the final trial than I did at Cup Match.The good thing for St George’s is that all of the young men who played this year will have a year of experience under their belt. They will all be hungry to turn the result around as they have nothing to be ashamed of.The best of us failed when we first started in Cup Match, but it’s how you bounce back that matters.It’s ok to have a rough start but now they must come back hungrier and more determined than ever to show the people of Bermuda that they belong on the big stage.Hopefully I haven’t been over critical, and I hope it is taken as constructive criticism.Regardless of what happened in Cup Match 2013, St George’s have a bright future ahead. The youth that we have are extremely talented and even though we only saw glimpses of it this year I guarantee you there will be a lot more to see from all of them in years to come.It would be remiss of me not to mention the heroics of ‘Mr. Cup Match’ Janeiro Tucker and Tre Manders.Not only did Janeiro surpass the highest all-time score, but he also became the first player to score four centuries, which he told me he would.Janeiro has clearly shown why he is the number one Cup Match player ever, the best player ever to play in the history of the game.Janeiro I salute you, you deserve all the accolades for your achievements.In Tre Manders, Somerset have a replacement for when Janeiro retires and it won’t be long before you see Tre challenging for Janeiro’s records.Congratulations to the both of you, and Somerset for a superb Cup Match but trust me you haven’t seen the last of St George’s. We will be back!