While this Cup Match will be remembered as an exciting draw, many fans will feel deprived of a victory. After Somerset's first innings, St. George's fans were sure they would see a victory in their favour.

However, how quickly the game turned! And after Somerset's second innings the game had flip-flopped. Somerset fans were all but guaranteed a victory.

From a coaching standpoint, Cup Match was like a chess game. I have to give credit where credit is due – Somerset came with a game plan that almost worked. However, they came up against a team that was equal to the task. St. George's displayed the pride and character of true champions over the two days, hence the reason why they are still champions.

It was amazing to sit and watch as some Somerset players pleaded with coach Ricky Hill to declare but to everyone's amazement they decided to push on and bat longer.

First, Janeiro scored his hundred, which I think he could have done a lot quicker. Secondly, Jacobi started to beat the ball around and totally lost focus of what the team goal was as he convinced coach Hill to let him and Janeiro continue batting until he reached his 50.

There and then I said 'ok', now Somerset will declare but Jacobi enjoyed entertaining the crowd and beating the ball so much that he continued on until he was eventually out.

One lesson I learned early in my coaching career and something that I live by now, is that when it comes to winning no individual performance is more important than the team's goal.

Had I been Somerset's coach I would have informed my team that whatever score we have at lunch that's it, and we must declare. There is no doubt in my mind that had Somerset started hitting the ball about earlier they could have got very close to 250 runs by lunch. By batting an additional hour after lunch, they hindered their chances of winning, plus reduced our chances of winning after posting such a mammoth total.

The hard nose facts are this: If Somerset want to win Cup Match back they have to be willing to take risks even if it means them losing every year and right now it is evident that they are not prepared to do that.

Do not get me wrong, Somerset played hard and fought hard to turn the game around and they should be commended for that. Both teams are to be commended on their performance.

One thing I strongly urge the players to do is to play with the same enthusiasm and energy that I saw them produce over Cup Match for their country as they take on Uganda later this month.

So many times you see players representing their clubs in County cricket or Cup Match and the player looks determined, focused, passionate etc., but come time to play for their country the same passion isn't evident and they look defeated before they even begin.

Truthfully speaking, I want to encourage the players who played Cup Match and who will be representing Bermuda later this month to step up to the plate and be accountable at the highest level.

Unfortunately, the crowd will be nowhere like that of Cup Match when Bermuda take on Uganda.

However, one thing the players can be sure of is the quality and standard that Uganda will bring. When a country such as Uganda play teams like Bermuda they always up the anti, they always get fired up for the challenge.

Our players will have to be at their optimal best to assure a victory against a team who are considered slightly below us in the rankings.

Basically I am challenging our local boys to show Bermuda that gone are the days when players are considered local cricketers. Our cricketers have had enough international exposure to bridge the gap between the local cricketer and the international cricketer.

Having been a cricketer, I can honestly say that it is probably harder playing at home than overseas. Here our spectators shout out some of the strangest, derogatory and hurtful comments during a game.

For a player who does not have the experience and mental toughness at the higher level this could be detrimental to their game but this is all a part of being a sportsman. To quiet the nay-sayers, put on a performance that leaves little to criticise. Players have to be able to play through any type of adversity if they are to become well rounded.

Lastly, to the players, Cup Match appears to captivate players like no other game but I want to strongly urge you to remember the ultimate goal or aim of any cricketer is to play for their country.

Country pride needs to be first and foremost. Our cricket is in your hands, beating teams like Uganda is mandatory if we are to re-establish ourselves in the cricket world again.