Bermuda Party primary and won his place on the party's Pembroke West Central ticket.

In a close vote, he beat the UBP's approved candidate and former branch chairman, and joined Environment Minister the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto on the party's two-man team.

Mrs. DeCouto received 454 votes, Mr. Dill, 306 and Mr. Ratteray, 290. A total of 556 ballots were cast, or just under 75 percent of the 749 UBP voters registered in the constituency.

Mr. Ratteray called it a fair, close race and vowed to support the winners in the next general election, which must be held sometime before February, 1994.

But it was a disappointing defeat for a man who has worked long in the constituency, served as branch chairman, and was finally rewarded by being named the party's adopted candidate -- only to face a challenge from a relative newcomer.

"I'm too sad to laugh and too old to cry,'' said Mr. Ratteray. "...I think it was a very, very good fight. I'm willing to help them in the election to win the seat back.'' The UBP lost the second Pembroke West Central seat in the 1989 election, when then Finance Minister Dr. Clarence James was defeated by Independent Mr.

Stuart Hayward.

The PLP has yet to officially adopt a candidate for Pembroke West Central, but its most likely candidate is Ms Neletha Butterfield.

Ms Butterfield, who lives in the constituency, is the operator of the CARE computer school and is well-known for her civic work. She would replace the 1989 PLP candidate, Miss Cheryl Pooley, who has since switched to the National Liberal Party.

Mr. Dill, a 32-year-old law partner with Appleby, Spurling & Kempe, said he was now keen to start working immediately to ensure the seat returns to the UBP.

"We are a strong team,'' he said. "We are going to give it our best shot.

What I'm hoping now is that Ann and I get out there and continue to work the constituency.'' Mr. Dill first challenged Mr. Ratteray last year, but a dispute over the precise filing deadline prevented a primary and kept Mr. Ratteray as the official adopted candidate.

Subsequent changes in the party constitution allowed another primary challenge this year, this time directed against Mr. Ratteray and Mrs. DeCouto.

Mr. Dill and his supporters argued the party needed an infusion of "young blood'' if it were to continue its unbroken string of general election victories.

Mr. Ratteray, 51, and his supporters maintained he had the local knowledge -- and the local respect -- that was needed to win the area for the UBP.

He grew up on St. John's Road and runs his business, Elroy's Laundry, just a few yards from last night's polling station on Berkeley Road. And as president of Western Stars Sports Club, which is also in the constituency, he was well-known and respected by the area's youth.

Almost any possible UBP candidate would poll well in the southern part of the constituency, which includes parts of Fairylands and Pitts Bay Road. But Mr.

Ratteray said he believed he could do well north of St. John's Road, which is more difficult territory for the party.

Mr. Dill said he, too, felt he had strong support north of St. John's Road.

There were few major issue differences between the candidates other than capital punishment -- Mr. Ratteray and Mrs. DeCouto supported it, while Mr.

Dill opposed it. However, Mr. Dill said he would represent the views of his constituencies if he was elected.

NEW PARTNERS -- Pembroke West Central UBP primary winners Mr. Jerome Dill and the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto congratulate each other after last night's final count.