Bermuda 52 Barbados 3 Bermuda rumbled through to the second round of the rugby World Cup qualifying tournament with a high-powered offensive display against Barbados at Nationals on Saturday.

The visitors never threatened as Bermuda established a firm grip on the game in windy conditions and didn't relinquish it.

After his final game holding the team's reins, national coach Kieron Peacock said: "It was a good performance and I'm happy with the win. We played well and dominated on the whole, although there were some things we didn't do well.'' His counterpart, Barbadian coach Wayne Yearwood, said: "I'm disappointed because Bermuda took us out of our game from the beginning. Their forwards dominated early and that resulted in a couple of early tries. It was very difficult for us to get going after that.'' Barbados Rugby Football Union president Andy Voss added: "Barbados rugby has been in the doldrums for about ten years but has been slowly coming back over the last three to four. If our side had played Bermuda six months ago it would have lost by 80 or 90 points, so in six months we have done a lot.

"Let's see what happens in a couple of years.'' After only two minutes, Bermuda were on the board when fly half Ross Webber kicked a penalty in front of the Barbadian posts.

Bermuda stayed in Barbados' half of the field but had to wait until scrum half Andrew Correia capitalised on an error at the back of the visitors' scrum before the next score.

Correia scooped up a loose ball and headed down field with his brother Scott and wing Heath Robinson in support.

He passed to Scott who drew the defence out to the sideline then popped a pass inside to Robinson who exploded past a tackler to score. Webber missed the conversion.

Despite pressure, the visitors' defence held and a number of penalties brought them relief with scrum half Ricky Morris kicking the ball clear.

But a scrum close to their line saw vice-captain Patrick Cooper feed Andrew Correia outside him who dived over to score. Webber missed the conversion.

Bermuda continued pressing and continual quick ball to the wings ran the visitors' defence ragged. International newcomer Nathan Browne drew blood next after full back Michael Montgomery's pass gave him enough room to round his man and score.

Webber's kick for the extra points bounced off the post as his problems with the howling wind continued.

Captain Alvin Harvey's try came next after desperation in the Barbadian ranks saw them stop kicking the ball into the wind and begin running it.

But a dropped pass by their full back George Mapp gave Bermuda another try when Scott Correia gathered the loose ball and flicked it to Harvey who scored under the posts. Webber's woes continued as he again missed the kick.

There was more of the same after the interval with Cooper scoring his first try of the day after a strong run for the line saw him break a pair of tackles.

Browne added his second try after a Dave Bird crash ball sucked in the defence and gave the Bermudian backs room to run. Quick ball through Webber and Harvey to Browne gave the youngster the score.

Barbados eventually got on the scoreboard with a penalty kick by Morris.

Bermuda made a pair of substitutions with Noel Capewell coming on for Bird at flanker and prop Dave Lunn switching with Billy McNiven.

Morris and fly half Owen Proverbs tried to keep the momentum in Barbados' favour but were unable to break Bermuda's solid tackles. Cooper nullified the threat with his second try of the day.

Bermuda made two more substitutions with Scott and Andrew Correia being replaced by Keith Hodgkins and Josh Kemp respectively but the team didn't miss a beat.

Flanker Sean Field scored a try from close range after Bermuda launched a back row move and this was converted by Webber for his second successful kick of the day. He added one more before the final whistle when he converted hooker Stevie Given's try from a blocked clearance kick.

Photos by Arthur Bean TWIN TOWERS - Bermuda lock Bobby Hurdle (left) and Barbados lock Jefferson Grant duel for the ball during a line-out. Supporting are Bermuda prop Billy McNiven (left) and Barbados prop Wolsey Holder.

ON THE RAMPAGE - Flanker Dave Bird (with ball) leads Bermuda into the fray against Barbados on Saturday. In support (from left to right) are Andrew Correia, Sean Field and Patrick Cooper.