Injury-hit Bermuda were overcome by St Lucia in their fourth Davis Cup tie in Trinidad yesterday.

With Michael Way joining Ricky Mallory on the treatment couch, Jenson Bascome was forced into his first singles start in the competition and was beaten by the experienced Vernon Lewis in straight sets, picking up just two games.

Mallory, who has been suffering with a bicep injury, took the first set from St Lucia number one Kane Easter, but couldn't maintain his form and went down 6-1 6-2 in the remaining two sets.

Bascome returned to partner Dean Mello in the doubles but again the St Lucian pair of Lewis and Yves Sinson proved too strong, triumphing 6-1, 6-3.

Way, who had played a tough singles and doubles in Bermuda's previous match against the host nation, woke up with a strained arm muscle and pain in his mid-section and, said Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association president David Lambert, it was felt necessary to rest him with two further tough days coming up this weekend.

Jenson, for his part, admitted to being "very nervous'' in his first individual outing at this level.

"I remember drinking two to three bottles of water before the match but as soon as I started warming up, my mouth went dry,'' he said.

"I thought from time to time I played well but on the big points I tried to do too much and made unforced errors. I should have been a bit more disciplined.'' He added: "I didn't feel that my opponent really had the shots to hurt me, he just moved me about the court and waited for me to make mistakes.'' However, Bascome remained confident that he had got the worst out of the way and would perform better if given a chance against today's opponents Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands tomorrow.

"I really think the first one is the hardest,'' he said. " I think next time I'll be a lot more relaxed.'' Mallory's defeat was his first in this year's competition but Lambert said there were extenuating circumstances.

"His biceps and shoulder haven't had a chance to recover as much as we would have hoped. He's only playing at about 75 per cent and that's being kind. It was a long match he had.'' The defeat leaves Bermuda, who have two wins and two losses, facing an uphill struggle in their battle for promotion to American Group III.

But last night Barbados were fighting out a tough three setter with Trinidad and a win for the visitors would open things up again.

"We're not out of it, but it's made it a tougher task,'' added Lambert. "St Lucia almost defeated Puerto Rico, so they can be beaten.'' But he suggested the presence of Way was crucial.

"Michael is very important to us,'' he said. "He has been to the trainer and been getting some massage because we really need him against them.''