times, but the umpires in charge will almost certainly have less than fond memories.

As far as they were concerned, it ended on a sour note when veteran umpire Dennis Raynor was apparently attacked as fans stormed onto the field in celebration of Somerset's three-wicket victory on Friday.

While attempting to find his way through the rampaging spectators at the end of the game, Raynor, president of the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association president, was struck on the arm with an instrument. The attacker then used the cover of the crowd to escape.

While he didn't want to give away details which would be privately contained in the customary report to be handed in to the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control and the Cup Match teams, fellow umpire Randy Butler confirmed what witnesses said: That there was an apparent attack on Raynor.

"Yes, there appeared to be a deliberate blow thrown at Dennis. When he came into the dressing room he was holding his arm and said that he had been struck and that it wasn't a friendly blow. But that's all I can say about the matter right now,'' said Butler, the BCUA secretary. Raynor could not be reached for comment.

The electrifying climax which saw Somerset win the trophy in dramatic fashion overshadowed many disturbing incidents on the playing field. Interruptions which occurred with monotonous regularity over the two days and are bound to be pointed out in the reports of the umpires.

These included a number of heated and often unnecessary appeals by fielders, many of which led to petty disputes with the officials.

One incident that irritated the umpires more than anything occurred on the first day when a St. George's's fan invaded the pitch and approached Raynor after St. George's captain Clay Smith was bowled and maintained his ground for an extended period before walking. The fan came up to Raynor's face and questioned the decision in a threatening manner.

The most controversial incident -- which is thought to have incited the attack on Raynor -- occurred with just under ten overs left when St. George's claimed batsman Albert Steede obstructed Charlie Marshall as he attempted to field a ball to prevent a single.

Marshall apparently ran between batsmen Steede and Corey Hill, but the ball hit Steede's foot and prevented Marshall from retrieving it.

Vehement arguments broke out and Somerset skipper Dexter Basden came on to the field, becoming involved in heated exchanges over the matter with his St.

George's counterpart.

The abuse became such that Raynor took off the bails and walked in disgust towards the pavilion with the game coming close to being temporarily abandoned. But Butler -- who had also removed his bails -- intervened and persuaded Smith to control his players and convinced Raynor to return.

The presidents of the two clubs, Mansfield Smith of St. George's and Reginald Pearman of Somerset, stood nearby the player's pavilion and seemed baffled as Raynor attempted to leave.

"We were both there and saw what occurred, that's all I'm prepared to say about the incident'' said Smith.

Only those in close vicinity to the disputes near the pavilion side of the field were aware of how close the game came to becoming temporarily abandoned -- although Smith said that under no circumstances would that have been allowed to happen.

"The Cup Match rules say that under no circumstance can the umpires abandon the game. This cannot be done without consultation between the umpires, captains and the joint committees,'' said Smith.

HAPPIER MOMENT -- It wasn't all hostility for umpires Dennis Raynor (right) and Randy Butler during last week's Cup Match.