Preserving our rich Cup Match history

Hiscox, which already exhibits a strong commitment to youth cricket in Bermuda, is showing equal dedication to the preservation of an important component of local cricket history.

Jeremy Pinchin, Chief Executive Officer of Hiscox Bermuda, yesterday presented Charles Brown with a Hiscox Cross pen, Moleskine notebook and a cricket hat to recognize his dedication to continuing the preservation of Bermuda’s Cup Match history. 

Since 2005 Mr. Brown has compiled and maintained Bermuda’s Cup Match statistics, which cover more than 100 years.  

The result of that work is available to the world at bermudaCupMatch.com.

This is the second year Hiscox is sponsoring the project that brings Mr Brown’s statistics to life online for people to search, interact and experience.

Jeremy Pinchin said “Hiscox is pleased to support the preservation of Cup Match history, which in turn encourages the continuation of Bermuda’s national sport. 

“We salute Mr Brown’s perseverance and are very delighted to share this aspect of Cup Match history with Bermuda and the world.” 

At the beginning of this decade, long-time Cup Match statistician Tommy Atcheson – the man who formally kept the stats – decided to relocate overseas. During his time in Bermuda he was an exceptional Cup Match record-keeper. 

His statistics — all done by hand and reproduced by typewriter — were rich and accurate. It was his plan to leave the voluminous collection of stats with the Bermuda Archives upon his departure.

 However, fuelled by a commitment to the preservation of Bermuda’s cultural and sporting heritage associated with Cup March, Mr Brown asked Mr Atcheson if he would pass on his records instead of sending them to the Archives. Mr Brown promised he would endeavour to keep up his predecessor’s good work.

So with the help, initially, of Warrington ‘Soup’ Zuill, Mr. Brown began a labour of Cup Match love for the statistical heritage.

He reorganized all the data in an easy to manage electronic form, while at the same time, meticulously updating the information after every Cup Match Classic.

“Maintaining current and accurate records is essential to preserving the statistical profile of this major part of our sports culture,” says Mr Brown.

“And knowledge of this history should motivate our current players to aspire to the heights of our former players as our Cup Match is an historic institution for Bermuda. 

“This kind gesture by Hiscox is greatly appreciated and is consistent with their support of Bermuda youth cricket over the last few years.”

The statistics now online have been updated through the 2012 Classic. 

They are now available at bermudaCupMatch.com.