Bermuda marched into the final of the North America Cup on the tail of an authoritative eight-wicket victory over Bahamas during Saturday’s third-place play-off at Jimmy Powell Oval in Bridge Town, Cayman Islands.

After bowling out their island rivals for 82 in 18.5 overs, opener Delray Rawlins took charge with the bat, brutalising the attack with an array of attacking shots.

Rawlins, who earned Man-of-the-Match honours, struck a 16-ball half-century that included six sixes and two fours.

He later explained his urgency at the crease as being the result of heat.

“It was hot out there,” said Rawlins during the post-match award ceremony. “I was just trying to get out of the middle.”

The former Bermuda captain put on 37 runs with Dominic Sabir for the first wicket before the latter skied out to Damion Wint at cover off Turan Brown.

After Rawlins departed on a questionable caught-behind decision, Kamau Leverock (11 not out) and captain Terryn Fray (3 not out) easily negotiated past the target.

Earlier, Marc Taylor stood alone amid falling debris and scored 62 of Bahamas’ 82-run total, as five batters were dismissed without scoring.

Kwasi James was Bermuda’s leading wicket-taker, with four for 26, while Sabir returned three for 14.

Rawlins, along with Derrick Brangman and Leverock, claimed a single scalp with the ball, but took a spectacular catch to remove Brown ― the Bahamas captain ― sprinting from his short mid-off position and lunging full-length to snare a spliced drive at cover.

Bermuda will now face the host nation in Sunday’s final, a contest Fray was eager for.

“We were just happy to get a game out of the way, with all of the rain that’s been hanging around,” said Fray when interviewed post-match. “It’s good to see our two top order batsmen really getting off to good starts.

“We’ll go back this evening. We’ll rest, discuss tomorrow and hopefully come out tomorrow and produce the goods.”