Ricky Mallory shrugged off the effects of injury and inspired his Bermuda team-mates to a gruelling 2-1 Davis Cup victory against Barbados yesterday.

Mallory, who was suffering from inflamed muscles in the neck, blew opponent Dwayne Williams off the court, winning 6-1, 6-2 in 52 minutes in the opening singles rubber of the Island team's third tie of the week.

As on-court temperatures at the Club Arabe in San-Pedro-Sula, Honduras, soared to 111 degrees, James Collieson followed Mallory's example with a tight three-set victory over Barbadian number one Cody Lewis.

The two singles wins were enough for Bermuda to earn their second victory in three ties, despite a narrow defeat for Jenson Bascome and Dean Mello in the doubles rubber.

Collieson, who studies at the University of North Carolina battled through the excruciating heat and humidity for two-and-a-quarter hours to eventually see off Lewis 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association president David Lambert was delighted with the efforts of his team, who are now half way through their programme of six ties in six days.

And Lambert felt that Mallory, whose injury forced him to retire from his singles rubber in the 3-0 defeat against Honduras on Tuesday, had set the tone.

"We all knew Ricky was in pain, but he stepped up like the team leader he is and did magnificently,'' said Lambert.

"He's only able to play at about 85 percent, but he wanted to play. He was upset at having to retire against Honduras and he went out there hungry to win.

"He served well, he volleyed well, he did everything we could have asked for and more. There were a lot of people watching in the stands and they were impressed.'' Collieson's first victory of the week was equally heroic, as he maintained concentration in the relentless heat to defeat a tough opponent.

"James went through three shirts and lost a lot of fluid and he was starting to cramp up a bit, but he came through to win a real nail-biter,'' said Lambert.

"It was James' best match of this tournament so far and he really played like we know he can.'' Even though the tie was already won, Bascome and Mello put up a strong fight in the doubles as they tried to complete a clean sweep.

Their match against Williams and James Arome went right to the wire, but the Barbadians eventually prevailed 7-5, 2-6, 7-5.

Bermuda now have an excellent shot at promotion from American Zone Group IV.

Their opening-day 2-1 victory over one of the stronger teams St. Lucia and the fact they have got the fixture against top-ranked Honduras out of the way are factors which weigh heavily in their favour.

Bermuda need to finish in the top two of the seven-nation tournament to earn their place in Group III.

Much will depend on the fitness of Mallory, as the team prepare for their next tie against the US Virgin Islands today.

"Ricky's had more massages since his match and we're hopeful he will be able to keep on playing,'' said Lambert.

"All the players are feeling the effects of three heavy days of tennis. They get up, have breakfast, go to the courts at 9.30 a.m. and hit, have lunch, go out to the courts again at 2 p.m. and play from 3 p.m.

"It's just eating, sleeping and tennis for them, but they are doing well.

It's inevitable that fatigue and injuries will play a role in these circumstances.''