darts tournament, currently being staged in Durban, South Africa.

The Island team went down to France 9-3, then lost 9-4 to Switzerland before beaing beaten 9-1 by defending champions Wales.

According to Steve Hickmott, president of the Bermuda Darts Association and a member of the team in South Africa, the first two losses were much closer than suggested by the final scores, while Wales were "in a different class''.

Against Wales, Gregor McQueen won Bermuda's only leg in a match which saw Welshman Eric Burden finish in 12 darts against Dave Griffin.

Meanwhile, the Bermuda ladies team came close to beating Scotland before going down 4-3 while they were also defeated by the USA 4-0 and the Seychelles 4-2.

Singles and doubles events were due to start yesterday with Bermuda's players facing a tough draw.

In doubles, Hickmott and Daniels were due to play the strong Dutch pair of Stompe and Harmsen. Stompe recorded 11 and 13 dart finishes in a match against England on Thursday night.

But England won that match 9-4 and will meet Wales in today's team final.