As Bermudians and residents of Bermuda, it is important to know the origins of our biggest annual holiday that commemorates the “emancipation” of enslaved Bermudians. Fortunately, we have been blessed to be entrusted with this history by elder Joy Wilson-Tucker.

Cup Match as we know it did not start with Somerset Cricket Club or St George’s Cricket Club. This calendar event actually began with two lodges on either end of the island

The lodges that began recognising the freedom of enslaved Bermudians were Somers Pride Of India #899 of St George’s and Victoria and Albert 1027 of Somerset. They were under the banner of The Grand United Order of Odd Fellows.

Historically, at picnics of the lodges, the favourite pastime was to have a game of cricket between the combined orders of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows.

The original colours of the lodges were as follows: royal blue and scarlet red for Somerset and navy blue — known as winter blue — with sky blue for St George’s.

Pride cometh before a fall

You can change your name, your mobile phones, your address, your profession or your religion. However, you can’t change your Cup Match team. The irony is not lost on many that most of Somerset’s top players originate from both eastern clubs and clans.

What a difference a week makes.

Up until last week, quite a number of Somerset fans were looking at the ground kicking rocks. Some had even openly admitted that St George’s stood a very good chance this year. This sort of humility has not really been a hallmark of many Somerset fans for the past decade or so.

They have been quite, as the streets would say, “boasty!!”

Yet, as the pendulum swings, once a certain decision was “mysteriously” reversed or rescinded, their humility quickly evaporated. Like clockwork, they were then back on their high horses.

Since then, the temperature has risen not only in the atmosphere but in the community itself. The vehicle flags are flying high, offices are now divided in two and various churches have held their annual Cup Match services.

It is even reported that at the Annual Adventist Cup Match held at Shelly Bay Field, the score was Somerset 237 runs versus St George's 207 runs.

As the gavel drops

Let Somerset fans yap on and on. They have a sharp reality check coming.

On July 21, 2023 during the last sitting of Parliament, the “Blue and Bluer Caucus” tabled and passed a long overdue Bill in one sitting. This new legislation has made it mandatory that the cup shall remain in the east.

The House is now adjourned.

• Christopher Famous is the government MP for Devonshire East (Constituency 11). You can reach him on WhatsApp at 599-0901 or e-mail at carib_pro@yahoo.com