Several years ago I walked into Cleveland County Cricket Club as head coach and promised them that in three years we would win the Eastern Counties Cup. Unfortunately, after two years I returned to St George’s before taking an extended break from cricket, thus leaving a void of not fulfilling a promise that would eat away at me inside.

Upon returning to Bermuda this summer, Carlton “Pluke” Smith, the Cleveland president, approached me about the coaching job and, without any hesitation, I accepted. Normally, I do not believe in going back to a club that I have left, but under these circumstances, I was always going to make an exception.

The Cleveland family have always treated me with love and respect, which made my decision that much easier.

On Saturday, the long wait of 33 years finally came to an end. Cleveland County did the unthinkable, as we not only beat St David’s, but thrashed them to finally win the Eastern Counties Cup.

What Bermuda witnessed was no fluke. That victory came from hours of meetings, hours of training and total concentration — all coming together at the right time.

Aaron Adams, before the game, said it best: “This is definitely the best team talent-wise that Cleveland County have ever had, but today we will find out if we have the heart to go along with the talent.”

Did they, Bermuda?

In the build-up to the Eastern Counties, two things happened that I just have to share. The Wednesday before the match, we met at Bailey’s Bay for a fielding session, but it poured with rain, thus causing us to stop before we had actually started. However, we would take this time to do some visualisation.

I told my players to close their eyes for a minute and picture playing here at Bailey’s Bay on Saturday. After a minute passed, they opened their eyes and shared what they had visualised. One player said: “I saw Jason Anderson taking a spectacular catch that would change the complexion of the game, but I don’t know who it was he caught out.”

Another player said: “All I could see was all of our fans celebrating, ready to take the trophy back to the club.”

There were more, obviously, but isn’t it amazing how you can visualise something and then it come to fruition, as both of these did?

The second incident happened last Thursday as the team were in their last stages of training at Harris Bay field. In the middle of an intense fielding session, the church pastor walks off the hill and is stopping by to say hi to a few people that are watching us train. A light bulb goes off in my head and something tells me, do not let this moment pass. So in the middle of the training session, I stopped and brought everybody in and asked the pastor if he would pray for the team, which he did?

Amazingly enough, when we won the cup on Saturday at Bailey’s Bay, guess who shows up after the match? Yes, the pastor and, once again, even through all those celebrations, we stopped to pray and give thanks to God.

After the game a supporter asked: “What was the secret to beating St David’s?” I replied: “Psychology.” Cricket is 75 per cent mental. Hence, the reason why before the match, I boldly told St David’s that they would not bat first and that they could not score 200 runs. I wanted to get into their heads and give my team every edge possible. St David’s players were more concerned about proving me wrong then executing their game plan.

On the flip side, my Cleveland players were phenomenal — each and every one of them. The credit must go to the players because, regardless of what I do off the pitch, they have to perform and execute on the pitch, and did they perform. Every last player had a part in that victory, but now comes the hard part, which is keeping it right through the rest of the series. Already, my mate Irving Romaine, the Bailey’s Bay coach, has been in my ear saying he cannot wait for the next county game, which should be just as entertaining.

Again, congratulations to the Cleveland County players, fans and executive, and a special thank you to the “Mayor of Devil’s Hole”, who is arguably the loudest, funniest and most entertaining spectator in Bermuda.

Tonight I encourage all Cleveland fans to come out and support the motorcade, as we meet at the club for 6pm, which will be followed by a victory party. All are welcome to join us as we put closure to a long 33-year wait.

Quote of the week: “Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.” — John Wooden