Namibia 280-9 at the end of the first day's play.

Bermuda skipper Irving Romaine praised his spin attack yesterday as Bermuda's last ICC InterContinental Cup match against Namibia remains in the balance after day one of this four-day contest at the National Sports Centre.

The hosts produced a solid fielding performance and managed to hold their much-fancied opponents to 280 runs with the spinners taking six of the nine wickets the side claimed.

The day didn't start well for Bermuda however, first losing the toss and then opening bowler Ryan Steede to a back problem after bowling eight overs when he chased down a ball fielding on the boundary and landing awkwardly.

This incident left Romaine with no choice but to bring in the spin attack, with Dwayne Leverock immediately coming on the ball and removing opener Deon Kotze with the score on 66 for one.

Stefan Kelly, who bowled 11 overs on the trot, was also rewarded for his tireless efforts when he got the ball rolling for Bermuda, getting fellow opener Jan-Berrie Burger lbw for 42 and the score 60 without loss.

And with Leverock already in the foray, Romaine called upon Delyone Borden and Rodney Trott to play their respective roles in the contest.

Borden, who took two for 44, removed Gerrie Snyman (58) and then Craig Williams (7), taking the score from 142 for three to 152 for five.

"We fought hard out there, we had a few catches go down, but for the most part we are still in it," said Romaine. "We will definitely have to bat long in order to put ourselves in a good position.

"We had one minor setback in that Ryan Steede left the field with a back injury, so we had Stephen come in to fill the role of the second seamer to assist Stefan in the bowling department.

"With Stefan really carrying the workload of the seamer the spinners were in for a long run today and performed well. But the wicket is taking turn so when they are on the ball it is a threat to any batsman.

"The wicket started ok in the morning and had a few deliveries hopping around with the surface coming off a bit. It had a bit of turn in it and as the day went on it didn't deteriorate which is a positive.

"We need one wicket tomorrow morning and then we can go to bat."

The day did not all belong to Bermuda as Namibia's number three batsman, Sarel Burger, remains unbeaten on 71 at the close of days play.

Composed batting by Burger helped his side towards posting a very formidable total while being assisted by those around him.

Wicketkeeper Tobias Verwey stroked a quick fire 34 whilst Bjorn Kotze (23) also added to the scorecard.

There was a spell late in the day where the boundaries came thick and fast with Verwey going after Trott, lofting him over the long off boundary and cover driving him on consecutive balls.

But when Outerbridge trapped Verwey leg before, spectators were sensing that Bermuda could go to bat on the first day with only two wickets to claim and overs still to be bowled.

Yet in the end, it was Burger and the late order who stole the show, wagging the tail for Namibia heading into today.

"They batted well throughout the day, especially their number three who has held them together," stated Romaine. "He has 70 or so after facing a lot of the balls and at times was on top of our bowling.

"There was also a point when they went after Rodney and hit a few boundaries, but that's how it goes.

"We can't change our strategy because of what they are doing. We held them down and the only way to get out of the jam was to attack.

"But the shot the batsmen played were good straight shots, no chance of really getting him out, but for the most part we were disciplined and have put ourselves in a good spot.

"Namibia are a good side and they have been in this situation before, so it will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow."