A half-century by Terry-Lyn Paynter was not enough to prevent Bermuda women's cricketers slipping to defeat against Canada in their ICC Americas Championship decider in Toronto.

Victory would have seen Bermuda crowned queens of the tournament - the first organised for women - but the hosts proved too strong and eased their way to the finishing line with five of their allotted 40-overs remaining.

Bermuda won the toss, electing to bat and managed set a respectable target of 169 for five after a difficult start with opener and vice-captain Linda Mienzer retiring hurt with a twisted knee at Maple Leaf Cricket Club, Ontario.

But Canada, despite losing two quick wickets, cruised to the total thanks to a fruitful third-wicket partnership between Joanna White, 59 not out, and Kim Coulter, 37, as well as some wayward Bermuda bowling.

Bermuda will now have to dust off the disappointment and focus on reaching the Women's World Cup in Australia in 2009 when they compete in the November qualifiers in Lahore, Pakistan. They will face South Africa, Netherlands or Scotland and Papua New Guinea.

Vice-captain Linda Mienzer said the tournament had been a "learning curve" for the young team, but admitted there was plenty of work to be done before they depart to Lahore.

"We started off very wayward with our bowling and allowed them to get off to a flying start. We pulled it back a bit but we probably should have brought on our spinners earlier.

"We're disappointed but we showed a lot of character and stuck together - it's been a learning curve for all of us. We've only been together for a short space of time and already we're trying to qualify for the World Cup.

"We will be back in Bermuda for eight weeks to put in some hard training before we head to Lahore."