handed the local youngsters a 29-run defeat yesterday in the International Youth Tournament at the Nykobing Cricket Ground in Mors, Denmark.

In warmer conditions Bermuda captain Janeiro Tucker won the toss and sent Holland in to bat. Tucker led the way with some good bowling, taking two for 11 from 10 overs with five maidens, as Bermuda limited Holland to just 152 for seven in its 50 overs.

However, poor application in the batting department meant that Bermuda crashed to its second straight loss in the tournament as the Dutch returned to dominating Bermuda in this tournament. They were the first team to beat Bermuda in the tournament in 1979, which Bermuda won at the first attempt. And that sequence of wins continued through the 1980s with a rainout in 1989 denying Bermuda the chance to gain revenge.

Bermuda finally did beat Holland in the last tournament in Winnipeg in 1991 but Holland regained the upper hand yesterday despite finding runs hard to come by against some tight Bermuda bowling.

Tucker, who came on as second-change bowler, did the job of keeping down the runs as did Sammy Robinson with two for 26 in his 10 overs. The main wicket-taker was Garry Williams with three for 34 from nine overs while his new ball partner, Dean Stevens, was wicketless from 10 overs which cost 37 runs.

"Janeiro and Sammy set the tone and Williams got wickets in his second spell,'' explained tour manager Ellsworth Christopher yesterday. "Dean Stevens was tidy in his first spell but got hit in his second spell.'' Christopher admits the batting has let the team down so far, having scored just 75 against Ireland in their opening match on Monday which they lost by eight wickets.

That poor application was evident again yesterday as openers Daniel Morgan and Ryan Steede managed just two runs between them -- Morgan lbw for two and Steede caught without scoring -- to put Bermuda in early trouble. Then, after number four bat Jason Simons went for eight, Michael Kelly, batting at number three, and his captain offered some resistence with scores of 17 and 14 respectively.

Number eight batsman Kevin Hurdle hit a determined 32 to keep Bermuda's slim hopes alive and the only other local bat in double figures was Robinson with 11.

"They found themselves groping but they got in the game for awhile,'' explained Christopher who added that they were 60-odd for six when Hurdle came to the crease and 120 for eight when he departed.

"He gave us a slight chance but when he got out we needed 30 runs off the last 18 balls,'' explained the manager. "We lost out last three wickets in the last two overs. Our early order batting scored 28 in the first 20 overs and then 40 after 30.'' Bermuda needed a good performance in time for the next three games against the stronger teams in the tournament today, tomorrow and Saturday when they play Zimbabwe, England and Denmark in that order.

"The boys are fighting now for respectability,'' Christopher admits. "We should be doing better but we haven't clicked. Janeiro has led by example but he can't do it alone.

"The players are not as mature as the other teams who are very keen and very focused. Without a doubt Zimbabwe, England and Denmark are very much into it.

Zimbabwe and England really want to be successful.'' KEVIN HURDLE -- Rescued Bermuda from deep trouble but his top knock of 32 was not enough.

JANEIRO TUCKER -- The captain saw his fine two for 11 from 10 overs go in vain as the batting again failed.