Bermuda, buoyed by a strong outpouring of hometown support, swept to their first Rosebowl title in four years at the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association on Saturday evening.

The hosts scored 14 points to top the final standings while Cayman Islands were second with eight followed by the Bahamas on four and Jamaica, two.

Team manager Denise Kyme was ecstatic over the outcome which saw the Bermudians wresting all but one division title - the Veterans - in which they were edged out by the Caymans 3-2 in their round and also 3-2 on points in the division race.

"It's been a long time since we've won the Rosebowl so convincingly," said Kyme. "The last time we won four years ago we did so on a countback (final scores were tied and then games won had to determine the winner).

"This is probably the strongest team we've had for a long time. What's most pleasing is to see that some of our former top juniors have come through onto the Men's A team. Losing the Veterans was disappointing but we always knew it would be tight. Caymans have three strong men in that category and we struggled with them last time. We had hoped to win both women's games (in the vets) but that didn't happen."

This setback didn't spoil the Bermudians' celebrations, however, as they eagerly laid claim to the championship in the curtain-closing round of matches against the Caymans.

The Men's A squad continued their rampant form, brushing aside the opposition 5-0, with Gary Plumstead, Chase Toogood, Ryan Bell and captain Nick Kyme, all registering 3-0 victories. Tommy Sherratt was pushed to five sets. Bermuda also overcame the Caymans in Men's B action by 5-0. They were represented by Harry MacKenzie, James Stout, Norman Furtado, Richard Brewer and Jan Brewer.

Their female counterparts had a harder time before emerging 3-2 victors. Winning for Bermuda were Tessa MacKenzie and Denise Kyme while Suzanne Rose had a walkover. Cathryn Hindess and Leeza Mulcahy kept some Caymanian pride intact by beating Lyn Furtado and Liz Martin respectively.

Once again, MacKenzie's match proved the evening's highlight with the national champion being pitted against her opposite number, Pat McCallum. The latter, who came to the squash courts without her racquets and not intending to play, put up a courageous fight despite a swollen right wrist which she injured while riding a moped on Friday.

"I better play injured from now on," joked the number one Caymans player, who almost repeated her 3-2 defeat of MacKenzie last year.

Instead of her usual power shots, McCallum was forced to push the ball around the court and use deft placement since the injury prevented her from "putting any pace on the ball".

"That's not the way I usually play but sometimes an injury strengthens other parts of your game. I am happy with how far I was able to get. I didn't intend to play but we only have four women so I borrowed a racquet and tried to help my team out. I expected to quit at any time but I got to five sets," she said.

MacKenzie who prevailed 3-2 (9-2, 7-9, 2-9, 9-1, 9-5) admitted losing focus in the middle of the match when she dropped the second and third sets. However, she regained stride quickly, giving up just one point in the fourth set and galloping to a 8-0 lead in the fifth. Still, she was made to battle all the way for the match-winning point.

"This was another hard match. When I lost the third set I realised 'This was it' and I had to win the fourth one. After that, I felt I could win it once I focused. Having the home advantage helped a lot with all the support," said a relieved-looking MacKenzie.

The most delighted expression of the evening, however, was that of Caymanian player, Jacquie Slater, whose 3-1 (9-5, 2-9, 9-6, 9-4) win over Christine Barnes sealed the Veterans' title for her side.

"I'm very excited. Caymans have never won the Veterans before. It was a bit nerve-racking while I was playing, knowing what was at stake. I'm glad I was able to make it a reality," said Slater, being congratulated by team-mates.

The three-day championships concluded with an awards presentation and reception at Docksiders on Front Street.