lived up to the expectations of the man they left behind -- national coach Kieron Peacock.

They take on the challenge of Glasgow Academicals at Hong Kong's Mongkok Stadium, in a match which will provide the curtain-raiser to the big game between the European Barbarians and the Southern Hemisphere Barbarians.

Spirits were high in the Bermuda camp going into today's game, after an impressive showing in the Carlsberg International 10-A-Side Tournament saw them reach the quarter-finals before going down to the Bahrain Warblers, who went on to win the competition.

Bermuda topped their group thanks to wins over Marula RFC of Zimbabwe and Caboolture Snakes of Australia, and a draw with the powerful English Classicals.

They finally went down to the Warblers after leading in the early stages.

Bermuda made the best possible start to the tournament on Wednesday when they overwhelmed the Zimbabwe side 28-0, helped by an impressive hat-trick of tries from Alvin Harvey.

Their toughest test came next when they faced an English side boasting the likes of Jeff Probyn, Steve Smith and Steve Bainbridge.

"We were disappointed not to win that one,'' said spokesman Phil Heaney. "We let them back into it.'' David Trick ran in two late tries for the Classicals to level the score at 16-16 leaving Bermuda needing to score plenty of points in their final round robin game against the Snakes to claim a place in the last eight.

And they rose to the occasion to record a convincing 32-10 victory which gave them the right to continue in the main Caup competition.

The English Classical side was relegated to the Plate competition for teams finishing second and third in their respective groups.

But Bermuda had the misfortune of drawing the tournament favourites in yesterday's quarter-finals, where defeat denied them the chance to progress further.

"They were top-class opposition,'' said Heaney of the Warblers, whose team included Gareth Davies of Wales.

Bermuda lost 36-16 to the Warblers, having been in close contention early on.

"We were up at one stage and it was disappointing to lose by such a big margin,'' said Heaney.

However, the Bermuda side were delighted with their showing, having gained in confidence with every game. "To begin with I think we may have under-rated ourseleves,'' said Heaney. "But we showed we could produce the goods. "If we hadn't won our group I think we could have won some silverware in the Plate and the Bowl (consolation competitions).'' Bermuda might also have gone all the way to the Cup final itself had they not met the Warblers so early on.

The Warblers defeated the English White Hart Marauders side in the final, having beaten Glasgow Academicals in the semifinals.

Peacock said he was very pleased with his team's performance in the Far East.

"They have played very well and been good ambassadors for Bermuda. They have opened people's eyes to the standard of rugby played here,'' he said.

Bermuda kicked off their tour last week with a 70-0 drubbing of the British Club of Bangkok in Thailand.

This weekend, to round off their 10-day tour, the players will be enjoying a well-earned break as they join the crowds to watch the world-famous Hong Kong Sevens Tournament.

The touring party is scheduled to arrive back in Bermuda on Tuesday.