DESPITE Tuesday's loss to the visiting Clico Preysal team from Trinidad, the match still proved a good test for the Bermuda Select team's younger players, captain Dean Minors insists.

After doing well to restrict the visitors to 211, the select team found it difficult scoring against the fiery pace of Ravi Rampaul, in particular, who claimed the first four wickets ? three ducks ? as Bermuda stumbled to 20-4 under the National Sports Centre lights. In the end only Kwame Tucker's 60 stood out ? the national team player scoring almost half the team's runs while batting at number three. The team that contained three teenagers recovered to 103-4 before eventually being dismissed for 127 in 39.1 overs.

"It was an excellent test for the youngsters who had the opportunities to play," said Minors, the veteran of the team.

"Although we lost they still played with character. When we were in the field I think we did remarkably well, the guys were listening to what I had to say and were following the plans that we set. I was really taken aback with their maturity, especially the ones who bowled, like Malachi Jones, Chris Douglas and Rodney Trott who knew what field settings they wanted. As a teacher I was trying to pull it out of them."

The same squad was back in action yesterday in another day/night fixture at the National Sports Centre, and many of the same players could see action again tomorrow when a National XI meets the tourists in a 50-overs match at Somerset, a change from the previously scheduled opponents, Southampton Rangers.

Some of the players found it difficult batting under lights with the white ball. The pace of Rampaul, a player who has played for the West Indies, provided an added challenge.

"Once we finished the first half I told the guys 'well done' and when it did come to the second half we didn't switch on quickly enough," said the captain.

"We knew our target, knew what we had to do, but there wasn't the application and execution. For the youngsters especially, we were up against a very quick bowler and I know for some of them they hadn't experienced anything like that. But to be honest, I was very impressed with how they tried to apply themselves. Playing them again we now know what they have and what we have to do."

Added Minors: "I was excited because a lot of people say we don't have talent on the island, but I truly believe that we do. For our youngsters to play against these guys and to travel as often as possible and to talk to these players to find our what makes them good, then I think our players will grow."

Minors welcomed the possibility of some of the same youngsters getting a third match against the Trinidadians. "I was also telling a few of the players that if our youngsters had the opportunity to be in our initial setup for maybe four days prior to playing this team then we may have had a different result as well," he said.

"That was my first time playing with those group of players. It was also a huge disadvantage batting under lights ? for some of the players that was probably their first time playing under lights. Plus you're talking about facing a guy (Rampaul) whipping the ball in at about 85 miles per hour and, playing under lights, you have to make that adjustment. You have to give credit to our boys."

The experience will certainly stand the players in good stead, Minors feels.

"What's happening now within our national team is it is not that we win or lose, but Gus (Logie) always talks about the process. Did we do the right things? Did we apply ourselves, go out there with this frame of mind and what could we have done better? What our players tended to do in the past is we win and everybody goes home and we don't talk about it. Now, individually, it is about what could I do better."

He added: "What would hurt me to hear is that we lost the game and the next game I've got four or five youngsters saying they don't feel like playing anymore. I know everyone wants to win but it's also about how you play it."

And being asked to captain the team was an honour for Minors who allowed Tucker to keep wicket in Tuesday's match.

"I got a chance to learn a bit, think a little bit more and I guess playing with the national team and with all the knowledge coming in you feel more and more comfortable," said the veteran.