The quickie with the look of boxing legend Joe Louis had just notched up the best bowling average in the history of the contest.

Team-mates immediately gathered around young Cecil Dismont, urging him to pull out of the attack and quit while ahead.

"They wanted me to keep my average, but I decided to carry on because it was important for St. George's,'' he recalls.

It was a fateful decision.

He sacrificed those precious bowling statistics -- but helped his team to a famous victory over Somerset.

Settling his lanky, six-foot one-inch frame in the chair at the Mayor of Hamilton's Parlour this week, the 78-year-old Rt. Wor. Dismont remembers the occasion with pride.

And draws similarities between that decision in the '30s, and one he made little under a month ago.

This one was to stand for re-election as Mayor tomorrow, taking on a challenge from his old friend, senior alderman Bill Boyle.

Originally Mr. Dismont -- the first black Mayor -- had decided to hang up the regalia after six years in the prestige Corporation of Hamilton post.

But he was persuaded into a change of heart.

"Sport is a great help in life, and teaches you about discipline,'' the father-of-three explains.

"I believe in doing things for the sake of the team, and not for yourself.'' He continues: "So many people telephoned me, urging me to stand again at least one more time.

"I hate going back on my word, but I was persuaded to do so. The Corporation is a team, and I'm a team player.

"If people feel it is in the Corporation's best interests for me to stay on then I will do so.'' Unsurprisingly, there was another reason.

As an all-round athlete -- who excelled in tennis as well as cricket, and proved his prowess at running, jumping, wrestling and boxing -- Mr. Dismont licked his lips when Mr. Boyle threw down the gauntlet.

"I never refuse a challenge.'' And as if to answer those who harp on about his age, he says: "I still keep myself really fit, and even do exercises while watching television!'' He goes on to highlight an unlikely source of motivation in his life, enabling him to overcome many an obstacle.

It is a carving of an elephant given to him many years ago by his friend Stanley Smith.

"Stanley was short and stocky, and had a neck like a bull. We wrestled several times, and the only way I could beat him was with a foot lock.

"He later gave me this carved elephant and told me `this is a sign of strength'.'' Mr. Dismont keeps the carving in a loft at his home in Fairylands, Pembroke.

"The room is called my `den', and it is where I relax, read, and get away from it all. Every time I go into it I look at the elephant, and it gives me strength. It has really helped me in my life.'' That life started in 1915.

Mr. Dismont was brought up by strict, but scrupulously fair parents, who became powerful influences.

His father, Mr. Albert Hilgrove Dismont, stood for the Corporation and was a high-powered businessman.

He owned a cycle shop -- which enjoyed a booming trade in the days before cars -- and ran Dismont Shoes and Accessories.

His son, Cecil, cut his business teeth helping to manage the shops.

"Dad was a dynamic person, and a very powerful figure. He greatly encouraged me, and supported my sporting activities even though he was not a sportsman himself.

"I remember him going to Cup Match, and hiring a team of horses to take the family to watch me.

"My mom, Ivy, was a big influence on me, too.'' After going to Hinson's School, and a private secondary school, he went to Ontario Business College in Canada.

It was very much a case of following his father's footsteps.

In becoming a public servant, however, he carved a more successful path than his dominating mentor.

And it was by incredible chance he made that first step -- getting on the old parish vestries.

"I was walking along Court Street when I heard someone call my name. There was a meeting -- I think it was at the Oddfellows building -- and people were being nominated for the parish vestries.

"Someone saw me, called me over and nominated me. I was successful in the election for Pembroke parish vestry.'' He adds with a laugh: "That experience taught me about politics. The person who nominated me, didn't vote for me!'' The next move was to get on the Corporation. The terrain was far more rocky.

It was 1957, and segregation was very much the order of the times.

"Bermuda was very different then, and black people told me it was a waste of time trying to get on the Corporation.'' Despite having the support of the Mayor Roddy Williams, Mr. Dismont flopped badly at his first attempt.

The Royal Gazette carried the headline: "Less than 25 percent of eligible Negro voters went to polls.'' The Rt. Wor. Williams, urging Mr. Dismont to fight again was quoted as saying to him: "I hope your people will turn out more than they did today to help you get in.'' In the event it proved third time lucky for Mr. Dismont in becoming the second black on the Corporation.

"I topped the poll in 1958, getting great support from both sides.'' He adds: "I've never believed in showing allegiance just to one particular race. My allegiance has always been to the taxpayers.'' Mr. Dismont, who received the MBE in 1976 for services to the community, has been on the Corporation 36 years.

During that period he has witnessed enormous changes in Bermuda.

Not just a healing of racial rifts, but a dramatic alteration in the landscape.

The onset of cars changed Bermuda for good, and has left it facing its biggest challenge -- traffic.

"When there were no cars, there were no traffic lights and the streets weren't paved.

"Now we have the problem of managing traffic.'' Plans for the Bull's Head multi-storey car park are in the works, keeping Mr.

Dismont and his team busy.

And moves to improve the docks are also under scrutiny, eating up yet more of the Corporation's precious time.

Between them they present formidable challenges.

One suspects, more often than not Mr. Dismont takes a peek at that carved elephant in his "den'' as he confronts these hurdles.

Although, of course, Tuesday's election could see the team player handing on the captaincy.

MAYOR CECIL DISMONT -- "I never refuse a challenge.''