OXFORD -- June is always a testing time in the university city of Oxford, but yesterday Bermuda's batsmen faced a rather sterner examination than the undergraduates who watched from the windows of the halls of residence.

It is possible that the students were genuinely interested in the second match of the tour of England, but it is more likely that they were disturbed by the frequency of appeals against the Bermuda batsmen. If this had been the boat race, Bermuda would have sunk.

The spectacular batting collapse was all the more disappointing because it followed a splendid bowling and fielding performance. Minor Counties managed just 205 for seven from their 55 overs, fewer than Bermuda scored against an impressive Northants side on Monday.

Dean Minors again failed to concede any byes, Anthony (Pacer) Edwards bowled superbly for his three for 34 and Gary Brangman was as mean as could be with one wicket for 22 from 11 overs.

Terry Burgess and Arnold Manders were more expensive but between them claimed the key wickets of Paul Burn (28) and Steve Plumb, who lived up to his pre-match billing as one to watch by hitting a stylish 53.

It was Plumb and Graeme Calway who posed the biggest threat to Bermuda's hopes as they put on 90 for the fifth wicket. The partnership included a flurry of 40 runs in seven overs just after lunch but was ended by the return of Edwards, who struck with the second ball of his second spell.

Calway miscued an attempted drive and Burgess did extremely well to hold the ball as it dropped over his shoulder while he raced to the third man boundary.

A few lusty blows from Mark Humphries took Minor Counties past 200, but all in the Bermuda camp were confident of their ability to knock off the runs and take their reward for hours of arduous practice.

They reckoned without Nigel Hackett. He did not bat but he did not half bowl as he claimed three Bermuda wickets for nine runs in a seven-over opening spell.

Arnold Manders was the first to go, edging a catch to Gary Loveday at slip without scoring. That was in the fourth over with the score on four.

At six in the sixth, Hackett found the faintest of edges, Humphries took the catch and Clay Smith (nought) followed a quick glance at the umpire with a long walk back to the pavilion.

Wendell Smith (three) once again looked to have weathered the storm and only lost his wicket to a magnificent piece of fielding in the 12th over.

Eager to push the score along, the skipper struck Hackett firmly through the covers but was stopped in his tracks when Rupert Evans flung himself full length to take the catch of the day.

Evans was in on the act again when he replaced Hackett, and in his first over tempted Clevie Wade (nought) to loft a simple catch for Steve Dean who ran in from square leg.

That left Bermuda reeling at 20 for four in the 16th over but a partnership of 60 between Charlie Marshall and Jeff Richardson provided a glimmer of hope.

Marshall carried on where he left off against Northants. He looks to be in commanding form and only lost his wicket because of the need to keep in touch with a run rate, which climbed as wickets fell.

He sent fielders scurrying to all parts of the boundary before taking one risk too many and edging Calway to Humphries. Edwards went quickly and it was left to Richardson to take responsibility for the rest of the innings.

The 100 came up with a wide in the 43rd over and Richardson completed a fine 50 off the next ball. He had made 51 of 102 when he became Calway's third victim, and with him went Bermuda's slim hopes of turning the tide.

Hackett came back to wrap up the innings and return match-winning figures of five for 27 from 11 overs, and Wendell Smith was left to reflect on what it will take for Bermuda's game to come together.

He said: "The other day we batted well but gave up too many runs. Today, we bowled and fielded well but couldn't recover from losing those early wickets.

We had to spend a lot of time rebuilding.'' Team manager McDonald Swan added: "We should have knocked the ball around more and picked up the ones and twos.'' JEFF RICHARDSON -- Hit Bermuda's second half-century on tour. Dean Minors, right, made 21 and was immaculate again behind the stumps.