David Hemp put an end to a lean spell with the bat to lead Bermuda's courageous fightback on day one of their Intercontinental Cup clash with hosts Kenya in Nairobi.

Thanks to the Glamorgan skipper's watchful approach the Islanders overcame another wobbly start to position themselves at a respectable 232 for six when stumps were drawn prematurely due to fading light yesterday after 74 overs.

Hemp, who until yesterday had struggled to find his rhythm in the middle, finally came good when his team needed it most after the Kenyans had exploited the new ball to leave the Islanders tilting at 24 for two before rain sent the players scurrying off to an early lunch.

The stylish left-handed batsman rode his luck after giving an easy chance at mid-on before getting off the mark, smashing 16 boundaries off 205 deliveries to remain unbeaten on 95 at close of play along with Dwayne Leverock (one).

Hemp, whose half-century arrived off 117 balls in the 45th over, featured in vital middle-order partnerships with James Celestine (37), skipper Irving Romaine (42) and Janeiro Tucker (33) that swung the momentum back in Bermuda's favour heading into today's second day of the four-day contest at the Gymkhana Cricket Club.

"This is something David (Hemp) wanted to achieve coming back into the squad as a senior player and we are all happy for him. He is five runs shy of a personal milestone but he knows the job is not fully done and so will be looking to carry on to give us the kind of total we are looking for," national coach Gus Logie commented.

"He's been patient which I think is the hallmark of his game. He spends a lot of time at the crease and has the ability to bat long which is something that is needed in the four-day game. And we trust that his patience will rub off on some of the other players, because they do have the ability to spend time at the crease and build big partnerships.

"But the plan all along is to try and get 300-plus and hopefully tomorrow (today) Hemp and Sluggo (Leverock) will carry on, because if we bat well it gives confidence to everybody else in the team that we can defend whatever total we put up."

After being sent in to bat by their hosts, an all-too-familiar story again unfolded as the Islanders were quickly forced on the back foot with opener Jekon Edness and number three Rodney Trott back in the hutch without troubling the scorers.

Edness was first to fall prey to yesterday's overcast conditions that gave the new ball extra movement through the air as he was trapped lbw by a Thomas Odoyo delivery that cut back sharply. Trott soon followed, gloved behind by wicketkeeper Maurice Ouma off seamer Peter Ongondo, as the Kenyans gained early control.

Makeshift opener Azeem Pitcher (19) and Hemp breathed new life in the innings by sharing in a 34-run third-wicket stand before the former was run out attempting a risky single in the covers that was never on. But Bermuda bounced back, with Hemp determined to keep the innings glued together.

The Island's sole professional cricketer added another vital 57 runs for the fourth wicket with Celestine, who banged five fours and a six off 46 balls before falling victim to a disputed catch at first slip. Hemp also added 59 runs with Romaine for the fifth-wicket and 66 for the sixth with Tucker as the Islanders' middle order continued to flourish.

Romaine hit seven fours and a six off 50 balls and seemed destined for a big score before he was eventually trapped in front playing back to a Odoyo delivery while Tucker, who faced 63 balls, misread off spinner Henry Varaiya and was bowled attempting to cut after dispatching three boundaries to the fence.

But by then the revival had long been completed with the circumspect Hemp and Leverock deeply dug in at the crease.

Seamer Thomas Odoyo (two for 31) and spinner Varaiya (two for 39) have so far carried the Kenyan attack that will be given the option of taking the new ball when play resumes this morning.