Bermuda went down to a strong Heriots FP side in the Scottish visitors' opening tour match at Nationals yesterday.

Fitness told the tale as the score stood at 17-0 at half-time before the Scots took complete control to dominate the rest of the game.

Bermuda coach Peter Shillingford, leading the side for the first time admitted the visitors, who were coming off the back end of the their league season, were fitter and better drilled.

But he said he was pleased that Bermuda had chosen to be entertaining, even running a few kickable penalties from in front of the visitors' posts.

Bermuda Rugby Football Union president John Williams said he was disappointed that Bermuda had not scored early on, pointing out that too many passes were dropped. This was a clear sign that the players had not played enough recently while the Scots executed the basic skills well, he said.

Heriots' tour manager Peter Whitelaw said he was "quite pleased'' with the outcome of the game considering his team had only arrived late on Saturday night. And he was impressed by the way Bermuda came out at the beginning of the game. "They hit us hard ... I was definitely worried''.

Scott Elliott, Peter Harrison, Sean Clarke, John Robertson, Ian Proctor, Derek Patterson and Donald Fowler each scored a try apiece while Fowler also kicked three conversions.

Heriots FP face Renegades tomorrow and a President's Select side on Thursday.

Both games are at National Sports Club at 6.30 p.m.