A Jonathan Cassidy hat-trick propelled Bermuda to an emphatic 48-18 victory over the Atlanta Renegades in the national side's first game in 12 months on Saturday.

Building towards a World Cup qualifying campaign next spring, the new-look Island side were impressive from one to 22 as they dismantled the somewhat below par opposition with consummate ease.

Once they had shaken off the rust of a wobbly opening five minutes, Bermuda's forwards were in almost total control which made the work of their lightning-quick backs all the more devastating.

"That was a great win for us," said skipper Bobby Hurdle who played his usual Martin Johnson-style game.

"This was the first step for us in a relatively new team and we are very happy with the way things went.

"There were a few things we wanted to try and a few players we wanted to test out and I think the coaches are going to be pleased with what they saw out there.

"The forwards were very strong and that complemented the backs very well.

"Obviously JC (Cassidy) was fantastic."

The Renegades, far from ideal opposition but an imperative due to hurricanes and high costs that kept away international teams, took the lead after two minutes through Justin German with the first kicked penalty of the World Rugby Classic.

But that was pretty much as good as it got for the visitors as the Bermuda pack then claimed almost complete control.

Nathan Browne slotted over to level the scores before jet-powered Cassidy began the try-fest with his opener after 13 minutes.

Ten minutes later he was over again as Hurdle inspired a forward push that opened up space for the effervescent winger to capitalise.

Greg Garside was next over in the corner before Cassidy completed his hat-trick after 33 minutes to give the home side a 29-3 lead.

With the game already effectively over as a contest, the Island side scored easily the try of the game.

And ? surprise, surprise ? it was Hurdle at the thick of things.

He loped through the middle to make the initial break before passing off to Tom Healy.

The ball then moved fluidly through the hands of Garside and Ryan Summerville before Richard Slater finished off in style.

Mike Williams pulled one back for the Renegades on the stroke of half-time to leave Alvin Harvey and Pete Shillingford to welcome their charges back in 36-8 ahead.

After the break the pressure eased although not before Rob Morgan had crossed courtesy of a sizzling break by Cassidy again.

Paul Jones pulled a score back for Atlanta but Nathan Browne's break and pass to Rod Stewart restored the 35-point margin. After 55 minutes the score read Bermuda 48-13.

That was to be the end of the home scoring and the game wistfully played itself out for the final 25 minutes with less excitement and no more Cassidy brilliance.

Keith Jacupka sneaked a score in injury-time to round off the scoring on a successful day for Bermuda in front of a boisterous crowd on sunny finals day.

"Maybe the opposition were not as strong as they could have been," concluded Hurdle while clutching his young daughter in his giant, muddy arms.

"But let's not take anything away from our guys. We were really good out there ? forwards and backs."