THE naysayers, doom and gloom merchants and sceptics in general might not be convinced, but by all accounts from those actually competing in Guernsey this week, Bermuda's debut appearance at the Island Games has been very much a worthwhile venture.

The standard of competition has proven much tougher than anticipated, the organisation has been impressive and, perhaps most importantly, those participating have been overwhelmed by the friendliness and sportsmanship that has prevailed.

As noted in this column last week, had Bermuda entered all of the 15 sports there's little doubt we would have seriously challenged at the top of the medal table.

As it is, and as was largely expected, of the nine events in which we have been involved, it's been our cyclists, the females in particular, and our swimmers, as well as - more surprisingly - our gymnasts, who have done most to put Bermuda on the map.

And if anyone still believes the competition is ‘soft', it's worth noting that the gold medals we picked up in the pool were draped around the swimmers' necks only as a result of performances which represented new personal bests and new national records.

Any time a Bermudian sets a national record, in whatever sport, there can be little doubt they have performed at an exceptionally high standard.

If there's been one disappointment this week - and it's one that that has been expressed by the athletes themselves - it's that Bermuda's medal winning achievements have received scant recognition from Government.

However, to be fair to Sports Minister Randy Horton, he had every intention of attending these Games but because of the impending general election, found himself consumed with more pressing matters at home.

Horton, however, will no doubt have been impressed with what he's read, and hopefully, should he still be in office when the Games roll around again, will encourage Bermuda to be even better represented than it has been this time.

While the week-long festival has offered rare international exposure for our less recognised sports, such as volleyball, archery, badminton, basketball and table tennis, it's a pity we weren't represented in either athletics, tennis, golf, football, swimming or shooting.

Then we really might have had something to shout about.

BERMUDA'S cricket season continues to stumble from one week to the next.

Since the first ball was bowled in May, our national sport has left itself open to constant ridicule.

And this week's chapter was no different . . . a match that ended with no-one quite sure of the result due to inconsistencies in the scorebook, a match that started four hours late because ground operators had inadvertently watered the pitch, and revelations - not by the governing body it should be noted - of a national youth team dogged by disciplinary problems.

Can it get any worse?

More importantly, does anyone with the power to do something about it, care?