Charlie Marshall struck a painstaking and superb century and Noel Gibbons a 24-minute half century to lead Bermuda to a 88-run win over Young Kenya yesterday in their first friendly match ahead of next week's ICC Trophy tournament.

Marshall was introduced to the plush surroundings at Nairobi Cricket Club when Bermuda lost their first two wickets with only 17 runs on the board.

And, despite struggling at times with his breathing, the left-hander persevered in a knock of 100, which made a distant memory of the gloom when Dexter Smith (nought) and Albert Steede (three) were out in the first and fourth overs.

Clay Smith (44) shared in a 77-run stand for the third wicket that went some ways to righting the ship. Then at the end, Gibbons exploded into a hitting frenzy that safely carried Bermuda past their proposed total of 220.

After a rough first over when Anthony Edwards went for 14 runs, Bermuda made steady inroads into the Young Kenya batting. Terry Burgess took a wicket with his first ball in Africa and though they scored at a rapid rate, the host team were quickly 54 for five in the 12th over.

They would not recover from the loss of these quick wickets with only number five Sandip Gupta (73) extending early promise.

When he was dismissed at 137 for nine, Young Kenya's flicker of hope was extinguished.

"It's a battle out there,'' said Marshall afterwards. "It was tough batting for the first time in these conditions. The wicket was good but it was difficult catching my breath early.

"Later, I felt more comfortable even though I desperately needed to get as much water as possible.'' The toss was won by Young Kenya, who was actually comprised of a majority of Nairobi Cricket Club players ranging in age from 23 to over 40. Four were national team players and there are others who will be in the line-up when Bermuda again play `young' Kenya next Monday and Wednesday.

Bermuda suffered their first downfall after only four balls as Dexter Smith drove at a swinging Andrew Tench delivery and was caught at third slip.

Clay Smith announced his intentions almost immediately in scoring seven of the 12 runs in the second over from Sanjay Suchak.

Suchak was replaced after that one over and the move paid dividends as his replacement, David Waters, drew Steede forward early and wicket-keeper Gupta took a fine catch diving to his right.

From 27 for two in the fourth over, Tench and Waters restricted Smith and Marshall to five in the next eight.

It was at this time that Marshall struggled most with the conditions but after a few impromptu water breaks he more than held his own.

In the meantime, Smith continued in the rich vein of form that brought him no score under 38 in the recent Jamaica tour.

He struck the ball cleanly from the outset and hit five fours in 110 minutes before he was out lbw sweeping against off-spinner Philip Toye.

Marshall's scoring pace accelerated from here and with the on drive, pull and cut featuring among his 11 boundaries, of which one was a six.

He and Arnold Manders (21) added 77 for the fourth wicket before both were dismissed within two runs of each other.

The final stanza belonged to Gibbons, who overshadowed designated hitters Dean Minors and Anthony Edwards.

Gibbons, in at 171 for four with six overs left, hit four sixes and two fours in a dashing 52 not out.

Steve Tikilo claimed two for 41 and Toye two for 92 while Tench was perhaps Young Kenya's best bowler with one for 16 in an unchanged 10-over spell.

Edwards' start with the ball was not what he would have scripted but he recovered nicely to finish with two for 38 from eight overs.

Burgess, on the other hand, bowled Waters for three with the first ball of the second over but was punished later and ended with two for 31 from five overs.

After the opening salvo, Clevie Wade (three for 11), Gibbons (one for 40) and Bruce Perinchief (one for 14) shared the wickets with one man run out.

Clay Smith capped a fine day with two sharp catches at first slip to cut short the innings of two Kenya national team players who were off to dashing starts.

Opening bat Deepak Chandesuma hit three fours in his 14 and number four Tikilo three in 15.

Gupta showed the full range of his strokeplay as the situation appeared more ominous. He batted for 117 minutes and faced 102 balls, the last landing in the hands of Dexter Smith when he skied an attempted sweep off Perinchief.

Bermuda are off for two days before taking on Uganda at Nairobi Jaffery Club on Saturday.

The Ugandans, who are not in the ICC Tournament have been winless thus far in two matches against Bangladesh and Young Kenya.

Yesterday was Young Kenya's first loss in the friendly schedule, which has also seen them defeat ICC tournament second seed Bangladesh.

Top seeds Holland arrived yesterday and will play against Uganda today.

CHARLIE MARSHALL -- Persevered in knock of 100.