presentation at Warwick Workman's Club last Thursday night -- but there was only one thing missing. Who finished second? In an intense season with a busy schedule, it seems a major flaw that those who finished second best did not get recognised.

Who finished second to Western Stars in the Open League championship? Who finished second to Bailey's Bay in the Open League Knockout? Who finished second to Arnold Manders in the Most Valuable Player voting? As far as the board prize presentation was concerned, no one did.

That is a crying shame because Willow Cuts deserve recognition for their performance in the league. For, as it was Stars' best-ever finish in the league, it was also Cuts' best finish.

Some teams in the present format of all 16 clubs playing together have been consistently good while others have been consistently poor. Cuts have been neither -- and that is why they have always been labelled unpredictable and inconsistent.

In the season just gone, they went some ways to changing all that. They started dreadfully in the limited overs round robin by losing their first three matches, which would take them out of contention when the knockout stage began in September.

But in the league they were in the top four or five since May and even held down top spot for a spell after a spirited win over dethroned champions Devonshire Rec. at Somerset Cricket Club.

Right at the end, with Stars making a big push, they fell flat and lost consecutive games to surprising Nationals and the ever-dangerous Police. This was a big no-no for a title contender, yet they recovered well enough to pip fast-finishing St. George's and Bailey's Bay for the runners-up position.

That was a major accomplishment for the small west-end club. And remember that they were summarily dismissed from the Western Counties Cup by Southampton Rangers -- normally the main prize for them at the start of any season.

Yet unlike some other county or Cup Match teams who pack it in after their major matches are done -- we won't call any names St. David's or Somerset -- Cuts hung tough.

Rodney Fubler was again a chief reason why they challenged throughout with his league-high 44 wickets. Other contributions were limited with skipper Dexter Basden getting a few runs here and there while Richard Basden was subdued after sitting out the early months with an injury. Vivian Simons quietly had one of his more productive seasons and Vance Gilbert continues to be the ideal foil for new ball partner Fubler.

Come on BCBC, even if it is a cup big enough to have morning coffee in, Cuts and any team finishing second in the future in such a demanding season deserve something.

The same goes for Western Stars, who had to play nine matches to reach the final before losing to Bay by 13 runs in a thrilling climax. How can that be overlooked.

And last but not least, Arnold Manders could not have been an overwhelming choice for MVP. By his own admission, Manders' season was not his best -- he has scored more runs and taken more wickets. But on this occasion he had a solid team behind him to ease the load.

So who else's name was brought up in MVP talk. Let these people know that their efforts were appreciated.

This column is not meant to criticise because the board did remarkably well to have its presentation a mere four days after the season ended with statistics up to date and all. But is it not always the case that when you think you have all your bases covered, the simplest things get overlooked? Like SECOND PLACE.

Next week this time most of the focus will be on Bermuda in the World Cup.

Professionals Meshach Wade and Kentoine Jennings are already back from English Third Division side Hereford United and golden boy Shawn Goater returns in midweek from a fine spell with Rotherham.

Goater's flirtation with the League Cup ended on Wednesday night in a 3-0 defeat at Goodison Park, which underlined the Merry Millers' need to win by a more convincing margin at home a fortnight before. They lost the second-round tie 3-1 on aggregate.

But the good thing for Bermuda is that Goater is in good form -- he had a strong match in a losing cause -- and is ready to lead Bermuda's charge in the second round of the World Cup qualifiers, starting against El Salvador at National Stadium a week Sunday.

The players should be going into the much-publicised camp this weekend to prepare for the home matches against El Salvador and Jamaica (October 25) before leaving for the away series against the aforementioned countries and favourites Canada, at which time Florida will be the base.