week from England about some of the senior players at Bailey's Bay not showing commitment to the club.

And after Bay wrapped up their first Camel Cup title on Sunday to remain the only unbeaten team this season, Marshall insisted the problem was not as bad as Gibbons believed.

"I always knew everything would be fine. I felt it wasn't a problem from the start,'' said Marshall, who was surprised when he read Gibbons' recent comments in The Royal Gazette .

Gibbons, now playing professionally in England, said he was worried that certain senior members of the team were not playing. And he urged them to come out and help the team.

He also said that once he knew the team was doing well, he could relax and concentrate more on his own game.

"Noel was too concerned, though I respect his concern,'' said Marshall.

"There are a few guys in the team who have responsibilities outside of cricket.

"When Bay were playing the weaker teams we took a break to get a few things together. I didn't appreciate the statements coming from Noel. I've always felt we have some extremely good talent and would be alright.

"For a few of the senior players like Terry (Burgess) and myself, we've had two years of steady training. For matches against teams like Nationals it was an opportunity to push some youngsters.'' Despite not having their strongest team to choose from, Bay still managed to pull off victory in the Camel Cup for the first time, after defending champions Western Stars set them a winning target of 210.

Marshall felt that victory, as well as the one on Saturday against St.

George's in the semi-final, would put the team in good stead leading up to the defence of their Eastern Counties title in July.

"I knew going into the Camel Cup that we had a good team,'' said Marshall.

"Terry didn't play on Saturday but we still had a solid team.

"The guys' attitudes towards cricket now is very positive. Players have been doing the extra work to improve their game.'' Marshall's performance with the bat, scoring 67 not out, made the difference in Bay's victory as Bermuda team-mate Arnold Manders, the Stars captain, tried his best to deny Bay the cup with a knock of 71 and then one for 24 from 10 overs of spin. At the end Manders admitted the better team had won.

"I knew what my responsibility was from Chris (captain Chris Smith),'' said Marshall. "I needed to stay there. The two Clarkies (Trott and Darrell) came in and their role was to hit the ball.

"I feel Arnold is still one of the best captains on the Island. He kept me thinking throughout my innings. When he was bowling, my main concern was to get him and Wayne Richardson off the ball.'' Despite wickets falling at the other end to keep the match in the balance, Marshall was always confident in the depth of the Bay batting.

"If I had gotten out I still had faith in the rest of the guys coming in,'' he said.

"We still had Cal (Dill), (Anthony) Braithwaite and Dennis Pilgrim who can bat. I'm very proud of the guys. We got 120 percent from each player and everybody was very positive about the game.'' Marshall has won the Camel Cup twice before with St. George's, but he admitted winning it with his home town club was special. "I'm not comparing the victories between both clubs ... all of them were great,'' said the left-hander.

CHARLIE MARSHALL -- `I didn't appreciate the statements coming from Noel.'