Bermuda 14 Argentina 38 It was a match that promised much. Bermuda's giant-killing heroes, having surprised everyone by reaching this stage of the tournament, were keen to crown an excellent week's work with another prized scalp.

Manager Patrick McHugh summed up the team's bullish mood before the kick-off, claiming that another surprise win was on the cards.

"Yes, we're going to win,'' he said.

"The guys are on a high after the Caribbean Championships, we're well organised and well motivated.

"A lot of people said we shouldn't be in the Classic and so we've had a point to prove and I think we've done that -- but we still want to end on a win.'' It was not to be. At the end of a tiring tournament it was perhaps not surprising that the home team could only manage a lacklustre performance and were outplayed and outclassed by superior Argentina right from the beginning.

Things started badly and got worse for Bermuda when the Argentinians showed up 30 minutes late. Having warmed up both physically and mentally the home team was then forced to go back to the changing tent and anxiously wait for their opponents to arrive. When it did finally make an appearance, the Argentine machine ran like clockwork, maintaining possession and spraying the ball from flank to flank with a cool confidence.

Bermuda were in trouble from the off, with full back Alan Oliver repeatedly being asked to kick into touch under pressure. Within three minutes the defensive wall was breached when, following some deft handwork, Argentina's Daniel Sanes broke through a gap at close range for an easy score.

Camped in their opponents 22, the Argentinians then continually stretched Bermuda's defence with some smooth passing down the line. Within ten minutes they had doubled their advantage with another simple try after creating an overlap on the right flank, Bermuda's defence left floundering.

There was little to get the home crowd excited and when Bermuda did occasionally foray into their opponents' territory, promising attacks broke down with sloppy handling at the decisive moment.

Alvin Harvey got the crowd going with a surging chip and run but the Argentine fullback was always favourite to get to the ball first.

Having to continually chase the game the home side were soon looking ragged and the strength of the Argentinian pack began to play an increasingly significant role.

Two more tries were added to the visitors' tally with rolling mauls in the second quarter and, when the halftime whistle went, Bermuda were trailing 24-0.

McHugh's team talk during the interval obviously put new vigour into his battle-weary boys and, in the opening minutes of the second half, Bermuda came out fighting.

Within minutes their efforts were rewarded with Alvin Harvey breaking through the Argentine defence following some smooth passing to put Bermuda's first points on the board.

Argentina's response was immediate. After being awarded a free kick on Bermuda's 22, a set piece saw Juan Jose Angellilo break through for an easy try.

Firmly in the driving seat, Argentina then capitalised on some clumsy handling during a rare Bermuda attack to snatch possession and score on the break, Guillermo Valessani getting the final touchdown.

With two minutes to go Bermuda managed a consolation try with Josh McGavern setting up Rod Stewart to squeeze through. It was a positive note on which to end an otherwise disappointing performance.

After the final whistle team captain Dave Lunn admitted that his players had not done themselves justice.

"The responsibility is with me -- it's my job to motivate the boys and we just didn't come out today -- we have to learn to rise to the big occasion,'' he said.

"They turned up late for the kick-off and it put us off our stride. We need more opportunities to play at this level.'' McHugh agreed that the delayed start had not helped his team.

"We never make any excuses for our defeats but that did cause us a little anxiety,'' he said.

But, despite the emphatic scoreline Argentina's captain said his side had been through a tough game.

"I think we played well, kept possession and kept on trying to move forward,'' Rafael Madero said.

"We were always in control and Bermuda were always chasing us. But they're a strong side -- we saw that in the other games they played. They're a young team and they played well today -- it was a hard game for us.'' In Saturday's third match Canada saw off France in the World Rugby Classic Plate Final, running out 41-19 winners in a fast but occasionally ill-tempered game.