competition when they easily beat Cayman Islands by 123 runs at the Antigua Recreation Grounds yesterday.

A fine attacking 71 by captain Charles Marshall piloted Bermuda to their challenging total of 250 for six off their 50 overs and then their bowlers restricted the Cayman Islands batsmen to 127 for seven off their 50 overs.

Despite the obvious limitations of the Caymans, the victory was neverthless a historic one for the local side and Bermuda Cricket Board of Control president El James was quick to applaud them for their achievement. "It's great, it's a major breakthrough for Bermuda. To the Bermuda public I say, don't be surprise if we qualify for the next round,'' said James who jets out to join up with the squad today for the two remaining games tomorrow and Sunday against Windwards and Guyana in Anguilla and Antigua respectively.

"I think Bermuda now realise that on their day they can beat any of the teams down there. Like anything you have to learn how to win, and now that they have accomplished their first victory I would expect more to come.

"They made a tremendous score yesterday with all eight who batted doing well.

From what I have been told by team officials their spirits are high and I expect good result in the last two games. I am looking forward to seeing the boys and join in the celebrations and hopefully be on hand to see their second and third victories on the weekend.'' James reckoned that, regardless of the competition which many may regard as being mediocre, the important thing was that Bermuda were able to achieve victory on foreign soil in a top competiton.

"Like anything else once you get a taste of victory you want more and now that they have gotten their first taste I think they will be hungry for more,'' he said.

Yesterday saw a disappointing batting performance from the Cayman Islands as they failed to take the attack to Bermuda bowlers. Number three batsman Steve Gordon who topscored with 56 not out took 171 minutes and 120 balls and struck six fours.

But it was man of the match Marshall, who shared a fourth-wicket stand of 75 with Janiero Tucker, that put Bermuda on course for their historic win.

The left-hander skipper hammered 71 off 84 balls, hitting three sixes and four fours and he and Tucker, who made 33 from 44 balls with two fours and a six, took the score from 85 for three to 160 for four.

Before that stand, Marshall and Clay Smith (32) had repaired the early damage with a stand of 67 as Bermuda recovered from 18 for two before the third wicket fell at 85. Smith's knock came off 51 balls and contained five fours.

A late flurry by Richard Basden, who slammed an unbeaten 41 off 47 balls with a solitary boundary, and Kwame Tucker (27 not out), put on 55 in an unbroken seventh-wicket stand as Bermuda moved from 195 for six to their eventual total.

When the Caymans batted, they were unable to get on top of the Bermuda bowling. They had slumped to 24 for four before Gordon and Pearson Best (34) put on 70 for the fifth wicket.

The partnership ended when both batsmen were involved in a mix-up and left stranded in the same crease with Smith out.

Richard Basden took two for 15 and Herbie Bascome two for 17.

Charlie Marshall: played a captain's innings of 71.