when they beat Scottish Second Division side Glasgow Academicals 14-6 at Mongkok Stadium in Hong Kong.

"That was our real 15-a-side test,'' said Bermuda Rugby Football Association public relations officer Phil Heaney, who was also involved in the 70-0 drubbing of The British Club of Bangkok in Thailand at the start of the tour.

Sandwiched between the two 15-a-side encounters was Bermuda's successful outing in the Hong Kong 10s, in which they reached the quarter-finals before going down to the eventual champions.

"We really put Bermuda rugby on the map,'' said Heaney, who kicked two penalties in the victory over the Glasgow side.

Bermuda's performance in Hong Kong won them high praise from the world's rugby-playing nations and attracted the attention of the media who were out in force to cover the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens.

Their Scottish opponents in their final game were impressed with Bermuda's control in conditions made difficult by persistent heavy rain.

Bermuda scored two tries to Glasgow's one in a game which was won by the forwards. Bermuda dominated in the rucks and mauls and won a great deal of first phase possession.

Their first try came from a set piece which fooled the Scots and boasted Bermuda's confidence early in the first half. An Alan Oliver miss move let Barry Whitehead into the line to put Alvin Harvey over in the corner.

Heaney missed the conversion attempt but had earlier been on target after Glasgow were penalised for handling in a ruck.

With the score 7-0 at half-time, Bermuda's front row continued to put pressure on Glasgow in the second period, driving pack the Scottish pack and winning a lot of ball against the head.

Bobby Hurdle and Ian (Tiny) McLellan also dominated the line-out, as Bermuda controlled the game.

They went further ahead through another Heaney penalty before Glasgow enjoyed their best spell of the game mid-way through the second half.

Nick Doran and Dave Cooke both made try-saving tackles, with Cooke sustaining a neck injury as he prevented a Scottish score. Jon (Bomber) Harris came on to replace him, and Bermuda continued to hold off the the Scottish surge.

Finally, Graham McGregor went over and Cameron Glasgow converted to pull the score back to 10-6.

But Bermuda had the final say, coming back strongly in the closing stages to make it safe with a Barry Whitehead try.

"This is a really strong Bermuda side,'' said Heaney, who arrived home with the tour party yesterday. "Our performance has done wonders for morale, and can only be good for the future of Bermuda rugby.

The line-up which faced Glasgow Academicals' was as follows: Dan Forsythe (capt), Dave Cooke (sub. Jon (Bomber) Harris), Nick Doran, Ian (Tiny) McLellan, Bobby Hurdle, Calum Welsh, Ali Nicoll, Sean Field, Gareth Davies, Alan Oliver, Gary Osborne, Phil Heaney, Mat Gorman, Alvin Harvey, Barry Whitehead.