Bermuda wrapped its debut appearance in the Island Games with more medals and a determination to improve on their impressive performance at the 2003 event in Guernsey.

The Island finished the week-long tournament with a total of 37 medals, 15 golds, 14 silvers and eight bronze - taking fourth spot in the medal table with the Isle of Man in third, Jersey in second spot and hosts Guernsey topping the table with 127 medals.

Bermuda concluded its schedule with a bronze for the basketball team and another gold for the gymnasts.

Jon Beard, leading the 100-plus contingent, said the whole squad had represented Bermuda fantastically and had shown just what they are capable of. He added that he would like the Island to bid to host the Games in a few years time.

“I have been pleased by the attitude of our athletes and the effort they have put in to showcase their abilities when put in an equal situation,” said Beard.

“There were some outstanding performances in individual events but also by the volleyball and basketball teams.

It is a vindication of the progress back home that they are well prepared and it has highlighted to some organisations what they need to do - they will go home very enthusiastic about how they need to develop their sports.”

Beard added that the medal haul from the team, competing against 2,500 competitors from 23 islands, was an example of just how good some of Bermuda's sports men and women were - and showed other sports who didn't go what they were missing.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for sport in Bermuda. The athletes have got a lot from it and I hope they will continue to be successful.

“Everybody made their own decision (whether to go to the Games) but it is a pity we haven't had some other sports here.

“The athletes are missing out on the opportunity to represent their country.”

He added that the camaraderie between the Bermuda competitors had been amazing with each supporting the other in their games.

The Island finished the event on another high as 14-year-old Kalena Astwood took gold in the set vault, to add to the two golds and two silvers she scooped earlier in the week.

There was also jubilation for the men's basketball players as their hard work paid off with a defeat of Saaremaa 83-59.

Coach Roderick Spencer said: “We are feeling good right now. We knew the game we wanted to play but they (Saaremaa) handled it well but we kept the pressure up and kept coming back - it was a great team effort.”

The gymnastics team finished their week with 11 medals - four golds, six silvers and one bronze - with coach Walid Mustafa saying Bermuda's outstanding level of ability had helped to persuade officials to raise the standard at the next Island Games in Shetland in 2005.

“I am extremely pleased with the medal count and I am looking forward to the next Games, although I don't know if the medals total will be as high,” he said.

“Everybody is keen to raise the standards and I am glad I can be the catalyst. The girls are over the moon, they finally received some recognition for all their hard work.”

He said the controversy earlier in the week, which saw the girls denied the team gold because of judging bureaucracy, had resulted in a determination to raise the level in Games gymnastics.

“We want the Games to be of a high standard. We don't want to come here and be the dominant force.

“Right now the others are on our heels and while we prefer to keep it that way, we want to raise the bar for all the teams and have a good healthy competition.”

The men's volleyball team finished fourth after a gritty display against an Aland side who were the 2001 Island Games champions.

Coach Adam Fowler said the team, who had improved with each game, were gutted they didn't take a medal spot.

“We wanted to bring the medal home to Bermuda.

“The guys gave it their all but they had nothing left in the tank - I am pleased because they gave everything they had,” he said.

But he said there were many good things to take out of the tournament.

“We are excited what the future holds but we are disappointed with the present.”

For Lynn Patchett there was to be no repeat of her road race success in the town centre criterium held in St. Peter Port last night.

Lynn, riding alone after her team-mates left for the World B Championships in Switzerland, found herself up against teams whose tactics were to sit back and let her set the pace, and then finally attacked with about a quarter of a lap to go.

“It didn't go they way I wanted it to. I ended up doing most of the work as they wouldn't go,” said Patchett. “I am not much of a sprinter so it wasn't good enough to get a medal.”

Besides the disappointment, Patchett was upbeat about the week-long event that saw her take gold in the road race and silver in the time trial.

“I am over the moon but I had no expectations for today as it is not my kind of race, it was a very good learning experience,” she said.

Jean Nicolas Bertrand finished 11th in the mens event despite having crashed twice and Karl Outerbridge was pulled out after being overtaken with five laps to go.

The Bermuda squad fly home today and tomorrow.