Bermuda savoured one of their most glorious cricketing triumphs last night, beating Caribbean champions Barbados by a nail-biting six runs.

In a match of two tails, the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) Select rallied from an inadequate 145 for nine to 225 all out and then dislodged Sherwin Campbell's men for 219 despite equally dogged rearguard resistance from Barbados' last three batsmen.

Just as Bermuda's last-wicket pair of Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock and Jacobi Robinson defied the odds to put together 80 precious and decisive runs so resolute was the Bajan bowling trio of Callitos Lopez, Jason Bennett and Ruell Brathwaite, starring in unfamiliar roles with the bat.

At 125 for eight - with skipper Campbell just comprehensively bowled by speedster Robinson for 20 - Barbados looked to be on the receiving end of the type of humiliation they served the West Indies last Saturday. However, Lopez and company had other ideas.

Partnerships of 50 between the latter, who scored a blistering 42 from 22 balls (five fours, two sixes), and Bennett and then 44 between Bennett and Brathwaite for the last wicket almost snatched the champagne from Bermuda's lips.

Once again though this engrossing, day-night battle which had endured myriad twists and turns had one more touch of Hollywood - an ending fit for cricketing folklore.

Fast running out of bowling options - what with crafty spinner Leverock, medium pacer Gregg Foggo and Robinson having competed their ten-over quotas - Bermuda's captain Clay Smith turned to the unknown: teenage all-rounder Allan Douglas Jr.

There were a few close calls as Bennett and Brathwaite played and missed outside the off stump and survived hearty leg-before-wicket appeals. Finally, on the third ball of his third over, the 17-year-old struck the telling blow, rapping Bennett's pads again.

This time the dreaded finger of umpire Lester Harnett went skyward into the floodlit night at Somerset Cricket Club and with it all Bermuda - either watching or listening on radio - rejoiced.

Douglas' team-mates flung themselves on the lanky, unwitting hero and indulged in the customary rush for souvenir stumps while broken-hearted Bennett stooped on the pitch, head bent and inconsolable. He and Brathwaite though had no reason for shame, having given more than anyone could have expected of them. The thoughts of Barbadian supporters around the ground hearkened back to the careless manner in which the kings of Caribbean cricket had surrendered 80 runs to Bermuda when they had the home team on the ropes at 145 for nine.

Their cavalier attitude had returned to haunt them in the worst way.

The BCB Select's total was built around two crucial partnerships of 76 for the third wicket and 80 for the last wicket. Robinson's swashbuckling 59 not out in 45 balls (seven fours, four sixes) was the mainstay of that vital stand. Leverock was last out for 12.

Middle-order batsmen Clay Smith and Philip Burgess had earlier given the Island hopes of setting a sizeable target with a third-wicket partnership of 76 after openers Chris Foggo and Ricky Brangman fell cheaply. Unfortunately, the middle order collapsed with seven wickets falling for 31 runs as Barbadian spinner Ryan Hurley impressed with four for 19 in ten overs and Campbell collected three for 37.

Barbados were similarly in early peril, losing wickets with regularity though well ahead of the scoring rate. They were four for 48 before a few partnerships helped them back into contention as Jason Parris struck 47 (five fours, two sixes). However, with three wickets tumbling at 125, Bermuda pushed for the victory and eventually got it thanks to an all-round team effort, including three wickets each to Leverock and Foggo and some superb catching by Smith and Burgess.

“This was unbelievable. Tears came to my eyes. This is by far the best one-day game I have ever played in,” declared an emotional Smith afterwards.

“I would like to dedicate this to coach (Mark) Harper as a going-away present. He has worked tremendously hard with the team and this is just reward for him.”

Smith acknowledged the vital contribution of Leverock and Robinson in giving Bermuda “a winning chance” in the match.

He said it was a huge thrill to defeat Barbados who have ruled regional cricket for the past two seasons and that nothing could be taken away from Bermuda.

“We went out there with the will to win and we gave a creditable performance against an experienced team. It was an amazing game because their tailenders did exactly what ours did and they were plugging away at the total.

“At the end I was just praying for a miracle and the Lord produced it,” said Smith, also hailing Douglas' role.

The talented St. George's player was himself dazed by his achievement, admitting he was surprised that the captain turned to him as the tension rose. Yet, he backed himself to take wickets as he had done all season - and only one was needed.

“It's unimaginable really. It hasn't sunk in yet…maybe later in the week,” said Douglas, still celebrating with team members and fans.

Barbados' skipper Campbell offered no excuses, stating plainly that they let themselves down with poor batting on a good pitch and with a relatively small target. However, he agreed that he probably made a mistake in not bringing back his strike bowlers earlier to dismiss Bermuda's last-wicket pair.

“We should have pressed home that advantage and close their innings. This is a learning experience for the youngsters in our team,” he noted, applauding the efforts of his lower order.