Somerset Bridge Recreation Club.

This after two concerned members of Somerset Bridge, who wished to remain anonymous, reportedly came to the club's aid in settling an outstanding debt with the BCUA of more than $1,000, stemming from fees for services rendered last season.

Funds were apparently funnelled through the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control on behalf of Bridge to the umpires, who had gone so far as to file a civil suit in order to retrieve money owed.

Yesterday, both Bridge spokesman Randy Bean and BCUA secretary Randy Butler confirmed that a resolution had been reached and that umpires were again being assigned to matches involving the West End club.

"I'm satisfied that it has been resolved and I think the resolution was amicable to both parties,'' said Bean, who had insisted all along that payment to the BCUA was a priority of the club.

Butler was somewhat less enthusiastic in his response to what is hoped will be the final chapter of an episode that has deeply embarrassed Bridge. "I understand that they have made great strides in settling the debt and we have appointed umpires for their matches starting from last Sunday,'' said Butler, who was in court on Friday representing the association only to have the case adjourned due to Bridge not having had a summons served by bailiffs.

"They are sort of off the hook in the sense that we will be supplying umpires. I would say that seven eighths of what had to be done has been done and basically they are well on the way to clearing their debt.

"Still, we haven't received anything in writing from them directly. Instead they're putting everything through the Board and there still hasn't been any direct communication between them and us.'' As for the civil suit, Butler said that the BCUA would obviously consider dropping the action, although they might yet seek further compensation for court costs.

Meanwhile, an angry Bridge president Kenny Simmons blasted the media for its portrayal of the situation, saying that reports had caused "more harm than good'' and issued threats if "these negative stories'' about the club continued.

"This was not an issue for the Press and if its (reports) are not discontinued we will see someone to make sure it is,'' said Simmons, in his fourth year as president of the club.

"If you don't back off then we will have someone back you off.

"We're tired of having the paper make us the laughing stock of the league and (people) start giggling every time Bridge is mentioned or we go somewhere.'' Simmons later assured that the club was making efforts to satisfy all of its creditors, but he noted that the economic climate among most, if not all, of the black sporting clubs was bleak, with dwindling membership making it difficult for them to meet obligations in a timely fashion.