Outerbridge eyes BELCO Cup repeat

This year’s BELCO Cup, the cricket season’s traditional curtain-raiser, was officially launched on Thursday at the company’s HQ in Hamilton.

The tournament, featuring the top four teams from last season will battle it out on May 18-19 for the silverware.

On Saturday, defending champions Bailey’s Bay take on Southampton Rangers at St David’s Cricket Club, while Willow Cuts will take on St David’s in Somerset. Both games start at 11am, admission is free.

On Sunday, the final will take place St David’s, starting at 11am — admission is $5 for adults, 18 or older. Warner Gombeys will perform during the half-hour innings break.

All proceeds will go towards the Bermuda Cricket Board National Youth Academy.

Bailey’s Bay skipper Stephen Outerbridge, who is struggling to be fit for the event, said: “I think many teams believe if you get a good start in the BELCO Cup it determines the outcome for the season, so we look forward to being very competitive in this tournament and hopefully we can put in the same performances as we did last year.”

Bailey’s Bay also won the league last year and have bolstered their squad with the signing of Bermuda international batsman Tre Manders.

Outerbridge added: “We had more pressure not winning [the BELCO Cup]. Now we’ve won we know as a team we are capable of putting in a really good performance. Some people talk about nerves but we have nothing to prove.”