"I think we'd get two grades,'' he said. "We'd get a grade for effort and we'd get a grade for what we actually achieved. And it would be an `A' for effort and a `B-minus' for what we achieved on the day.'' With almost two weeks to ruminate his team's one-sided loss to the Eagles in the World Cup qualifier, Peacock preferred to look at the brighter side of a season where the national team compiled a glittering 5-1 record, including the Caribbean championship.

On Saturday, April 16 the team will close the curtain on the 1993-94 campaign with a game against Glasgow Academicals at National Sports Club.

"I think before `Where do we go from here?' it's a question of what we've achieved so far,'' Peacock said yesterday, his hair slicked back following a lunch-time run. "I think we have to accept the positive out of the season, but there's no hiding the disappointment. We were disappointed to lose 60-3.

"I think we stuck to our guns and we did a lot of positive stuff, but we froze at vital times. We didn't get off to a good start and that made life incredibly difficult for us.'' In the days immediately following the loss, the challenge for Peacock was almost as imposing as the nine months leading up to it.

While there were many people content to salute Bermuda for having achieved what they did, there were also fans who demanded to know what went wrong.

The Eagles got off to a quick 10-0 lead before Phil Heaney finally scored halfway prior to the interval, but the gloomy pattern of the day had firmly taken root.

"After the first 24 to 48 hours it was `Thank God it's all over' or `Let's pick up the pieces and get things going in other areas of my life,' '' said Peacock. "But after a week or so I found myself going exactly the reverse and saying `It was great, I really enjoyed it.' '' Later he added: "I think we felt that we were as well prepared as we could be, the basics were there. Our strategy was as good as it could be against the Eagles. I wouldn't change things dramatically. I think a lot of it on the day was attitude of mind. Being in the right frame of mind. Certainly speaking to the boys afterwards over the next few days the feeling was wishing we could play them again. You know, things like `Now we know what they're like and we'd do a better job of it.' But we only got one bite of the cherry.'' Bermuda will stand pat with their roster with many of the players expected back next season.

"I think we'll just let this season run its course,'' he said. "The players are ready for a rest. I'll be providing them with a maintenance fitness programme over the summer, but it won't be as intense as last year. These guys have worked damned hard to get to the level they're at. They've sacrificed a lot of their home lives. They need time off.'' Team officials refuse to look beyond that, but the attention of the World Cup game may guarantee enough interest for several touring sides next year.

"Yes, from a variety of places,'' said Peacock. "From Canada, the US, even South Africa and Argentina. People want to come in and tour because they know we can do a good job both on and off the field and look after them.