Somerset Cup Match star Janeiro Tucker yesterday jumped to the aid of beleagured skipper Jacobi Robinson who has come under heavy criticism for depriving the challengers of any chance of victory by conceding a draw.

With the champions reeling at 39 for four and 12 overs remaining in the match, rookie skipper Robinson called it quits after St.George's made no attempt to chase down 237 runs in two hours and 20 overs, resulting in the match ending in stalemate.

To say the least, Robinson's decision has not gone down too well in the challengers' camp.

But in spite of considerable post-match criticism aimed at the 23-year-old all rounder, Tucker, Somerset's all-time leading run getter (1,104) - the first West End batsman to score 1,000 runs in the classic - has given his rookie skipper a fair assessment, although he feels the challengers should have bowled at St.George's longer than they did during the closing stages of the match.

"As players we can all say a lot of things now about what he (Robinson) should have and shouldn't done. But overall I thought he had a pretty decent Cup Match; he attacked for a reasonable amount of time and I respect his decisions," Tucker told The Royal Gazette.

"I thought we could've attacked them for another six or seven overs and and maybe put more guys around the bat. "But I guess Jacobi thought the game ws pretty much over because we even had Azeem (Pitcher) bowling and they (St.George's) still didn't go after the runs.

"They didn't even try and hit the non-bowler and so I guess Jacobi figured why continue on with the game."

Like many, Tucker felt St.George's had ample time to prior to the close of play to chase after Somerset's total.

"I thought they were going to have a go at the total because you are talking about 237 runs in two hours and 20 overs. I thought they would have got 150 or 170 runs, but they put up the shutters from the jump. I thought they would've gave it an attempt and then put up the shutters if things didn't work out."

However, Tucker disagreed with those who criticised the champion's cautious approach during the closing overs of the match.

"To Somerset fans it is going to be negative. But when you have the trophy you have to do what you have to do to keep it. So I wouldn't say their approach was negative. We had them on the ropes but at end of the day we couldn't finish them off," he said.

Meanwhile, in spite of his team's shortcomings Tucker nonetheless had a Cup Match to remember as he etched his name in the record books yet again with the bat.

The exciting middle order bat had smashed a century (102) playing for his beloved Southampton Rangers in a Premier Division match against Cleveland in the lead up to Cup Match.

"Whenever Cup Match is nearing you always want to go into the classic with a good knock under your belt. It's always a positive going into Cup Match coming off a good score - it's just a mental thing," Tucker said.

In addition to being Somerset's all-time leading Cup Match run getter, Tucker also holds the record for the highest individual score (186) in the classic and is the first Somerset batsman to score a century in St.George's.

He is also the first West End batsman to score two centuries in the classic and presently tops the classic's all-time batting averages.

He is also a three-time Cup Match MVP and two-time winner of the Safe Hands Award.

So what makes him tick?

"It's just the excitement and joy of playing in the classic. I always look forward to entertaining the people and making sure Somerset have a good chance of winning the trophy," he replied.

Tucker entered this year's classic 15 runs shy of previous Somerset all-time run getter Albert Steede (975) and 40 runs shy of 1,000 runs. The 33-year-old all-rounder reached both milestones during the first session of opening day's play.

So what was his game day strategy?

"I just thought I would take my time and try and pass 1,000 runs first before taking it to the next gear. Once that was achieved, the plan was to try and shift gears," he explained

After helping himself to yet another Cup Match half century, Tucker seemed destined for triple digits. But shortly after pulling up with leg cramp the aggressive batsman fell 25 runs shy of the milestone.

"I'm sure one day I will get another one (century)," the Rangers player/coach reasoned.