Growing up in the East, County Game was a major rite of passage. I grew up consuming every minute of the annual competition. Check that – the truth is, I grew up consuming every minute of the competition … that St. David’s Cricket Club was involved in. What can I say – my people are firmly from St. David’s.
That is, after all, what makes the annual Eastern Counties competition so special; family. Starting 120 years ago as a humble cricket game between St. David’s and Tucker’s Town (which later became Cleveland County), this culturally rich competition has always been about familial ties, and parochial bragging rights.
Veteran Eastern Counties Cricket Association (ECCA) member, and current President, Stephen Douglas breaks down the special mystique connected to the competition:
“It’s special as it started way back in 1904 between St. David’s and Tucker’s Town. The families have now extended to all parts of the island, and it’s talked about and looked forward to all year. It’s one of the best [cricket competitions in Bermuda] as it touches generations of families and communities that make it unique.”
Indeed, the Eastern Counties competition has always featured the very best cricketers from across the island. Top national teamers like Dwayne “Sluggo” Leverock and his nephew Kamau Leverock have both appeared for Flatts Victoria (FVCC), while Dion Stovell has played for Cleveland County (CCCC), and Albert Steede and Clay Smith enjoyed a very productive spell in County Cup with St. David’s (SDCC).
Other national legends, like Noel Gibbons, Charlie Marshall, Glenn Blakeney, Clarkie Trott, Lionel Cann, O. J. Pitcher, Dale Fox, Aaron Adams, and Alan Douglas (Senior and Junior) have simply represented the neighborhoods they have strong familial ties in.
As a fan, I had no real choice but to support St. David’s. Of course, I truly believe that Lord’s is the very best arena for cricket in Bermuda, but I can’t say I don’t have fond memories of Saturdays spent at Seabreeze Oval cheering on our Warriors. In those days, the cup-holder hosted the game until they lost the cup. So, because all I ever saw was St. David’s or Bailey’s Bay (BBCC) win the cup … I don’t even know where the other two teams would’ve hosted their games.
These days, the competition is hosted by SDCC at Lord’s and BBCC at Seabreeze Oval on a year-about basis – an arrangement that allows all the clubs to share in the annual profits that the competition generates.
This year, the competition will be held at Lord’s, and there will be camp plots available through the ECCA. The first game will be contested two weeks before Cup Match, on July 20, and will feature the cup holders BBCC defending their crown against the formidable Cleveland County.
Once the first round is decided, the winner will take their team down to Lord’s again on August 17 to face the home team, SDCC. As the competition mandates, the winner of Round 2 will then clash with Flatts Victoria on August 31 – in the final. Whoever holds the title after all three rounds have been played will be the 2024 Eastern Counties Champion.
SDCC President, Céblé Crockwell wants supporters to know that SDCC fully intends to get that cup back!
“It is always our plan to get the cup and to retain it. We are fully dedicated to the 2024 cricket season and the work to regain the cup has already begun. The Executive and Management fully support our cricket team and our fight to come out on top for the 2024 series.”
This is the general consensus for all the teams, and, indeed, communities involved in Eastern Counties. In the Eastern Counties, we play the game to win!
Ms Crockwell outlines her thoughts on why the Eastern Counties have endured for so many years, and consistently enjoyed a high degree of popularity.
“Eastern County was the first to be played, and the dynamics of the game have not died. It started with families from St. David’s and Tuckers Town, and this tradition has carried on for many years. The banter, the love for the sport and the overall union that is involved with Eastern Counties can be felt weeks before the first game is played. Many families can trace back generations of cricketers who have represented their teams over the years. It is an honour and privilege to be selected for your community’s ‘Cunny’ Team.”
She also promises a typically memorable experience for patrons who make their way to Lord’s to partake of the Eastern Counties revelry this year:
“When Cunny is played at Lord’s, fans are always in for a treat. Our grounds are the best in Bermuda (arguably) and we plan to deliver a safe environment for all in attendance. There are some announcements that will come from the ECCA Executive in reference to the competition, but as the host venue, St. David’s CCC are working closely with the ECCA to deliver a prestige venue on each game day.”
Holder’s Bailey’s Bay will want to be present for the entire series this season too, as the priority for any team that wins the cup is to hold it for as long as possible. BBCC Vice-President Damon Edwards knows that the road to retaining the Cup will be a grind, and has some serious reverence for the history behind the competition.
“What makes it so special is the fact that it’s so community oriented. It’s not like the other Counties, where they invite a whole bunch of people in, and they could play for whomever, and represent the club for that period of time – this was basically families, communities that organized this competition.
“So, it’s strictly community – Harris’s Bay (Cleveland), strictly community; obviously St. David’s, and the Flatts community, you know. I believe it’s the best competition simply because of that element. And basically, we have a vast amount of talent in the East, within these four communities – not saying that we don’t have talent in other parts of Bermuda – but we’ve always had a real array of talent in the East End. Which just made it a great competition.”
