The first Cup Match game was held in 1902, with the occasion being made a public holiday in 1947. The timeline below shows a brief look at some of the key aspects and you can view extensive coverage of all of the Cup Match festivities here on BernewsCupMatch.com.

Cup Match

2023

Two Female Firsts

Linnell Williams was the first ever female match referee, and Bernews streamed the Classic, marking the first time the event was broadcast by a female-owned media.

2020

Cup Match Classic Cancelled

Due to the pandemic, the Cup Match Classic cricket match was cancelled for the first time in history.

Mary Prince Day Established

Bermuda’s Parliament approve an amendment to officially rename the second day of Cup Match from Somers Day to Mary Prince Day.

BernewsCupMatch.com Launches

BernewsCupMatch.com launches, providing a comprehensive resource on the holiday.

2016

Leading Run Scorer Retires

Janeiro Tucker retires as the leading run-scorer in the competition’s history [1,491] after helping Somerset retain the trophy at home.

1995

First To Score 1,000 Runs

St. George’s Wendell Smith becomes the first batter to score 1,000 runs in the Classic.

1955

Venue Changes Annually

1995 brought around a significant change as the clubs agreed to switch the venue from one year to the next. Previously, the cup holder was rewarded by hosting next year’s classic.

1947

Cup Match Becomes A Public Holiday

In 1947 two official national public holidays were introduced

1941

Somerset’s First Century

Somerset batter Alma “Champ” Hunt scores the second hundred in the Classic to become Somerset’s first century-maker [104 not out].

1937

First Century

St George’s batter Edward “Bosun” Swainson scores the first century [122] in the Classic

1902

First Cup Match Game Held

The first formal Cup Match cricket game was played on June 12th, 1902

1834

Slavery Is Abolished In Bermuda

The Slavery Abolition Act ended slavery in the British Empire — including Bermuda — on August 1, 1834

1831

Mary Prince’s Book Is Published

Mary Prince’s book – ‘The History of Mary Prince’ – was published in 1831.