The Rosebowl was already in Bermudian hands for the first time in eight years when they started their match against the under-strength holders of the Northern Caribbean Championships.

But there was no doubt in anybody's mind about who the champions were when they won both their men's divisions, added to walkovers in the women's and veterans, to take the match 4-0.

This meant over the whole of the three-day event Bermuda lost just one point, the men's A defeat by the Cayman Islands on Thursday. But they eventually won that game by 3-1.

On Friday, Bermuda triumphed over the Bahamas 4-0 and, at that stage, the Rosebowl was officially home property.

Club members were not just delighted about the first Rosebowl since 1986 but the prospect of more to come with impressive performances by the younger players.

Many onlookers had pointed to the fact that Jamaica were missing three of their top players and were still strong in the men's A division.

But Bermuda's men steamrollered them out of the way winning all five matches in that division on Saturday.

Club professional Julian Rose, suffering from a leg injury, whitewashed Wayne Prescod, for his second victory of the weekend. Rose's only defeat came against former Bermuda pro John MacRury, now playing for the Caymans, who is unbeaten in this competition for 13 years.

Colin Alexander won a bad-tempered match with David Harrison, 3-1, and 17-year-old Tommy Sherratt was just too much for Patrick Chin.

Richard Brewer and Kirk Caza both completed unbeaten weekends with victories over Warren Burrowes and Noel Williams respectively.

It was too late to get the award for the Men's A division, which went to the Caymans, but Bermuda won the Men's B, the Women's and the Veterans awards.

Cooling his sore knee with a bag of frozen peas, Rose said: "We have really proved ourselves. I have been here for nearly three years and I am delighted with this win.

"Our juniors will be off to the World Championships in New Zealand, but for the senior players this is the biggest tournament in which we compete.'' Turning to the young players, Rose said Sherratt had a difficult match for his first taste of senior level squash but then went on to prove he has great determination to win his next two matches.

He said: "In both matches he was hitting the ball very well and it has been a very big experience for him.

"He is just one of our future players, like James Hubbard in the B team, and it looks good for years to come.'' Rose went on to praise the B team and the Veterans who both took full points.

But special mention was saved for the women who were unable to show their true strength because of their absent Jamaican counterparts.

He said: "The ladies did not get very much competition but we now have an impressive team with Jacqui White and Denise Kyme playing very well.'' Looking to next year's tournament Rose said: "It is still going to be difficult in the Bahamas next year but with the kids coming through the next couple of years could be very good.'' JULIAN'S ROSEBOWL -- Bermuda professional squash player Julian Rose with the Rosebowl after Bermuda won the Northern Caribbean Championships.