St.George?s Cricket Club vice-captain OJ Pitcher was voted 2006 Cup Match MVP last Friday to become the second straight St.David?s Islander behind Chris Foggo to win the prestigious award.

The 23-year-old right handed batsman scored a personal best 98 runs off 121 balls in 219 minutes during this summer?s classic, and along with veteran batsman Charlie Marshall established a new partnership record for the fifth wicket (168 runs in 45 overs in 171 minutes) that swung the match in St.George?s? favour.

The East Enders went on to win the match by a comfortable seven wicket margin.

It was the champions? first victory in Somerset in 12 years and second straight over Somerset who became the first team in 39 years to be forced to follow on their second innings.

?First of all it is an honour for anybody just to be a part of this historical event. I always thought I stood a good chance of winning the MVP award, even though Delyone (Borden) (seven) and George (O?Brien) (six) both got wickets,? Pitcher told from Orlando, Florida where he?s continuing his studies.

?I had a feeling I would win it because I thought my runs came at a time when we were in a little bit of trouble.?

Pitcher arrived at the crease with his team wobbling at 59 for four.

?The main thing I was concerned about was not to lose any more wickets before lunch. No matter how many runs I had scored or the team had, the key was to try and not lose any more wickets before lunch,? he continued.

?Lionel (St.George?s? skipper Lionel Cann) was telling us not to be too defensive because that could get us in trouble. And so instead of being over-defensive I was also looking to score and not do nothing risky and it all worked out for me at the end of the day.?

Pitcher smashed 15 boundaries.

As for the new fifth-wicket record, Pitcher stated: ?Obviously that was another huge accomplishment and achieving it with Charlie was special because he was a big help.

?We were able to communicate with each other and we are also good friends off the pitch as well which made things easier.

?And it?s a privilege and an honour to have your name in a record book of any sort and to achieve it at such a young age makes me feel proud.?

Pitcher?s magical innings came to an abrupt halt when he dragged a Dean Stephens? delivery onto his stumps two runs shy of a maiden Cup Match century in the 66th over.

?That was definitely disappointing and I was a bit upset,? the batsman lamented. ?I didn?t say too much to anyone in the changing room afterwards. I just sat there for a little while because that is such a big milestone to achieve in such a big event. But I can?t complain.?

Pitcher said in the end his team?s convincing win more than compensated for being dismissed just shy of triple digits.

?Once I knew we were out of trouble and victory was in sight, that was all that really mattered to me then,? he insisted. ?Our main goal was to keep the cup and be successful.?