planned, seamen aboard the seven NATO ships visiting the Island may not get much of it.

The sports schedule did get a little lighter, however, after a five-mile cross-country run and field hockey match scheduled for today were cancelled out of respect for Princess Diana.

However, some 60 sailors played golf yesterday at Belmont and tomorrow will see a host of others taking part in five events, highlighted by a pair of rugby matches at National Sports Club.

The day begins with a 30-overs cricket match at Prospect between a NATO team and Police at 11.30 a.m.

Then there's a soccer match between a pair of Vasco da Gamas -- the Portuguese naval ship of that name and the First Division soccer side -- at Bermuda College's Stonington campus.

Ten teams of eight will then compete in a tug-of-war (4 p.m. at Nationals) followed by a darts and pool competition at 7.30 at Mariners Sports Club.

While it remains to be seen how formidable the NATO rugby team will be, Bermuda skipper Alvin Harvey is certain the visitors will extend his players.

Both games will feature players from the full Bermuda national side, anxious to get in some match-practice in preparation for the upcoming World Cup qualifying round against Trinidad and Tobago and Chile.

"I's a good chance for us to evaluate just where we are at this stage after some intensive training. It sees us starting our World Cup campaign in earnest with this weekend's action,'' said Harvey. "They should be good matches,'' said Lt. Gavin Edwards, liason officer aboard the HMS London , a British frigate which will supply players for the A side match at 6.30 p.m. The NATO B team play the Bermuda B team at 5 p.m. "We've got some good rugby players on board.'' Bermuda will be approaching the matches as though they were legitimate international clashes, attempting to make every use of this much-needed match-situations, Harvey said.

"We don't play this game to lose, we want to come away with a win as well as to work on area where we can improve,'' said Harvey. "We are certainly not going to take the game lightly in any way.'' "The guys have been training hard for some time. We are anxious to get on to the pitch against some opposition and we realise that this will be a good chance for some of the players to sort or reinstate their claims and fight for positions that are open at the moment.'' There are areas which the coaches want to see Bermuda improve, according to Harvey, one being to to have players try to develop more open play following set pieces.

Although the squad have been working out three times a week at National Stadium, "We also are keen to improve in areas of support and fitness which is something that our coaches stress that we need to work on in our own time,'' said Harvey.

The ships will be open to the public from 1-4 p.m. today and tomorrow.