World Debate Championships last week, according to their coach.

Captain Jordon Zancanella and his five teammates Eli Lipschultz, Kalilah Robinson, Ruth O'Kelly-Lynch, Ryan Marshall and Tara Kessaram finished in sixth place in London behind defending champions Australia and this year's victors Scotland, among others.

The team won six of their nine debates, defeating South Africa, Hong Kong, Slovenia, Greece, Spain and Ukraine and losing only to Singapore in a debate on animal rights laws in the preliminary rounds.

The local students progressed into the final 16 where they met the US twice but were knocked out in an impromptu debate on whether multinational companies are the new imperialists.

"They definitely had the potential to go even further'' said coach Gladstone Thompson "Unfortunately the impromptu debate against the US was a tough one.'' Other topics debated by the team included legalising performance enhancing drugs in sport, the influence of Hollywood, freedom of speech and the bombing of Iraq.

The debates took place in schools throughout the London area and the team also watched other countries debating in the House of Commons.

The team, which meets every Thursday afternoon at the English Speaking Union in Hamilton, all agreed their trip had been very memorable.

"It was a very enriching experience,'' said 17-year-old Jordon.

"We got to know so many really great people,'' his teammate Kalilah added.

Commenting on the team's success, Mr. Thompson said: "For a small island it's a great result.'' Gift of the gab: Bermuda's successful National Debate Team returned home from the World Championships this week. Pictured, from left, are Jordon Zancanella (team captain), Ruth O'Kelly-Lynch, Eli Lipschultz, Ryan Marshall and Kalilah Robinson. Tara Kessaram is missing from the photo.