Bermuda Under 15 national team skipper Malachi Jones put in a superb all-round performance to inspire the defending champions to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over the US at the Jimmy Powell Oval in the Cayman Islands on Wednesday during their opening Americas Under 15 Championship match.

Jones, son of Southampton Rangers and former Somerset Cup Match batsman Olin Jones, returned outstanding bowling figures of four for 15 before scoring 29 runs in a third-wicket stand worth 69 runs with Christopher Douglas who top scored for Bermuda with an unbeaten 43.

For his fine-all-round efforts Jones was a unanimous choice for man-of-the-match honours.

Bermuda won the toss and sent the US in to bat. The gamble quickly paid off as the Americans were reeling at 91 for four after 25 overs.

Jones, who finally made the breakthrough into Southampton?s Premier Division team this season, took matters into his own hands with the new ball and polished off the remaining USA bats as the Americans slumped to 135 all out in 38.2 overs.

In reply, Bermuda also suffered an early setback by losing their first two-wickets with only 18 runs on the board before Jones and Douglas repaired the early damage and put things back into perspective.

After Jones departed ? run out with the score on 87 ? promising St.George?s all-rounder Jahron Dickinson (27 not out) and Douglas remained unbeaten at the crease when Bermuda reached their winning objective in 29.4 overs.

Bermuda, the tournament?s two-time defending champions, were due to meet Canada yesterday.