comfortable eight-wicket victory over West Africa at the Aga Khan Sports Club.

yesterday.

Anthony Edwards, Terry Burgess and Bruce Perinchief led the bowling attack and then opening batsman Dexter Smith hit 54 not out in his debut ICC innings.

Smith was later named man of the match.

The top seeds in Group D quickly go to the top with four points as the match between Denmark and Hong Kong is one of three to be completed today because of rain.

Saturday marked the first time the national team have seen rain and it affected all but one of the four Group A and Group C matches that opened the tournament.

Tournament favourites Holland scored a nine wickets victory over Malaysia but Kenya and Israel, Papua New Guinea and Gibraltar and Canada and Singapore needed to finish their matches yesterday.

Bermuda made certain their task would be completed in one day after losing the toss and being asked to field first.

Edwards and Burgess continued in their recent inspirational form with a 15-over opening spell that conceded only 25 runs and brought three wickets, two to Burgess.

Burgess took the first wicket on the fifth ball of his third over trapping D.Ukpong lbw for one with the score eight.

Edwards dismissed new batsman S.Elliott for nought on the fifth ball of the next over and Bermuda were well on their way.

Burgess removed the other opener, Kofi Sagoe (eight) with the score 19, a fine leg-cutter resulting in wicket-keeper Dean Minors taking his first ICC catch.

The West Africans received little reprieve when Noel Gibbons and Clevie Wade were introduced into the attack. However, they did hit their first boundary in the 18th over, top scorer Kwesi Sagoe going through the covers against Gibbons.

Sagoe, the number four bat, lasted for 119 minutes for his 41 in seeing off four partners.

The only person to assist Sagoe was number eight N.Uche who made 12.

The pair put on 39 for the seventh wicket in 91 balls but once Sagoe was run out by Edwards' direct hit to the bowling end, West Africa's hope of a useful target diminished. Sagoe struck three fours and faced 95 balls.

Upon Sagoe's dismissal at 82 for seven, Bermuda completed the innings within the next 10 overs with leg-spinner Perinchief returning the top figures of two for nine from 6.3 overs. Edwards claimed two for 12 and Burgess two for 16, both from 10 overs.

West Africa's total was aided by 21 extras, including 13 wides.

Bermuda were required to bat for 30 minutes before lunch. Smith and skipper Albert Steede put on 13 in 3.4 overs when time was called with swarms of flies disrupting the players and umpires.

In fact, the fly problem was the most severe problem Bermuda's batsmen would have to face as upon resumption Smith and Steede sped to 45 in nine overs.

Smith had given a difficult chance to slip when on nine, as I.Ladipo was unable to hold a one-hand diving catch.

Steede, who has been in fine form during the friendlies, was caught for 14 in the covers, just failing to get to the pitch for a drive.

Bermuda's only other batting mishap occurred on 69 when Clay Smith over-balanced while attempting to guide a single through the vacant slip area and was stumped for two.

Charlie Marshall (11 not out) joined Dexter Smith for the final 25 runs with the latter bringing up his half-century in the 20th over.

Smith struck seven fours in 85 minutes and faced 75 balls in becoming only the second Bermuda player -- Ricky Hill was the first -- to score a half-century in his ICC debut.

Bermuda next meet Hong Kong at Nairobi Jaffery Club tomorrow and skipper Steede wants to use yesterday's performance to spirit the side to further success.

"I was obviously very pleased with our victory today, it was a solid victory,'' said Steede. "All our bowlers bowled extremely well to reduce them to 93 runs.

"Among the batsmen, Dexter in particular batted very solidly. He batted the whole innings and that's what we'll be looking for from the top order.'' Hong Kong dismissed Denmark for 192 yesterday and were 80 for four in reply when the rains came, so they must have quality about them.

"We haven't had a scouting report on Hong Kong, so we don't know what to expect,'' said Steede. "Nevertheless, we just need to take one game at a time and just make the best of it.'' Weekend results by group Group D At Aga Khan Sports Club: Bermuda beat West Africa by eight wickets. West Africa 93. Bermuda 94-2. Bermuda four points.

At Nairobi Gymkhana: Denmark v Hong Kong to be completed. Denmark 192, Hong Kong 80-4 (22.3 overs).

Group A At Nairobi Cricket Club: Holland beat Malaysia by nine wickets. Malaysia 109, Holland 110-1. Holland four points.

At Nairobi Jaffery: Papua New Guinea beat Gibraltar by 135 runs. Papua New Guinea 248-5. Gibraltar 113. Papua New Guinea four points.

Group B At Simba Union: Bangladesh v Argentina to be completed. Argentina 120 all out.

At Sir Ali Muslim Club: United Arab Emirates v East and Central Africa to be completed. East and Central Africa 36-5 (19.2 overs).

Group C At Nairobi Premier Club: Kenya beat Israel by nine wickets. Israel 99, Kenya 100-1. Kenya four points.

At Impala: Canada v Singapore -- no result. Canada 159-8 (30 overs), Singapore 47-8 (20 overs). Canada two points, Singapore two points.

SOLID DEBUT -- Dexter Smith, right, became yesterday only the second Bermuda player to score a half-century in his ICC debut.