Bermuda's top squash players were chewed up and spat out by hosts Colombia at the CAC Games late on Thursday night and must now beat Venezuela this morning to progress to the team competition's knockout stages.

With defeat against the favourites almost a foregone conclusion, world number 72 Nick Kyme was rested for the evening ? meaning former professional James Stout, Michael Shrubb and reserve Mel Caines were left to battle it out on the all-glass court in Cartagena.

Stout, who is now coaching in Europe to make a living, lost 1-9, 0-9, 2-9, while at number two Shrubb put up some stiffer resistance in the first game before eventually succumbing 6-9, 1-9, 1-9.

With the match over, Caines found the going equally tough and lost in straight games, 1-9, 1-9, 2-9.

The team competition is made up of three pools of three, with the top two teams in each pool progressing to the knockout phase.

With Kyme returning to the fold, Bermuda will be at full strength this morning, though they are expected to be pushed hard by the Venezuelans.

Elsewhere, cyclist Geri Mewett competes today in the 150 kilometre road race which is taking place on a 22 kilometre route in the town of Barranquilla ? about an hour and a half drive from host city Cartagena.

Athletes Michael Donawa and Akila King arrived in Colombia last night along with coach Devon Bean and Bermuda Track and Field president Clarence Smith and will compete next week.

And Bermuda's national female hockey team were also due to take on Trinidad and Tobago last night in the Dominican Republic ? the venue for the CAC's hockey competition ? although the result was not through by press time.