Scotland had won four consecutive matches against the top four teams, and had already qualified for the WCL final. Bermuda had not so far registered a single victory. So when the two teams met at the Ruaraka Sports Club for their final round-robin match, it was always something of a mismatch of incentives.

The Scots decided to undertake some development work by letting the youngsters who had largely stayed on the sidelines during the previous games have their day in the sun. So did Bermuda.

But it was the Bermudians who really wanted to make sure they didnít depart for the World Cup with a string of depressing defeats in their baggage.

Craig Wright won the toss; Scotland batted first, a target of 300 in their minds. 20-year-old Navdeep Poonia opened with 23-year-old Majid Haq. They set off at a run a ball, Poonia favouring fours, Haq conent with ones and twos.

Poonia perished on 16, clean bowled by 17-year-old Mukaddem, the score on 25. Ryan Watson took his place, but ceded leadership of the partnership to Haq. There seemed every likelihood of a big partnership. It was only 28, as Haq unnecessarily chased a wide outswinging delivery from 18-year-old English public schoolboy Stefan Kelly, and edged out to Dean Minors behind the stumps for 31.

The next partnership added 106, as Watson and Gavin Hamilton established supremacy. There were individual 100s available for the taking, but Watson was out for 57, lbw with a lazy shot, the score 159-3.

Neil McCallum threatened briefly to break out, but also edged to Minors, for 21. Dougie Brown came and went, chipping Kelly lamely to midwicket. He was immediately followed by Hamilton for 79, just as it seemed certain he would go on to reach three figures. He was Kellyís second wicket, but this was a genuine and impressive wicket for the youngster, who finished with 3-47.

At 220-7, Dougie Lockhart and Craig Wright set about some repairs and took Scotlandís score beyond 250 for the eighth consecutive ODI. But both became victims of the bustling Mukaddem, who took 3-57. Dewald Nel and Ross Lyons took the final total to 268.

This should have been enough, though the Bermudians set out with intent but without inhibition. Dewald Nel and the experienced Dougie Brown opened the bowling for Scotland, and the latter picked up the wickets of the dangerous Clay Smith (19) and Dean Minors (25). Craig Wright disposed of Kwame Tucker for 13, but Nel failed to take a wicket or make his case for inclusion in Scotlandís team for the final.

Ross Lyons had a horrendous first over, despatched for two fours and a six, but thereafter bowled with commendable economy, keeping the Bermudians David Hemp and Janeiro Tucker watchful, even when they were in full flow. Eventually, Lyons trapped Hemp in front for 25, while Wright removed Tucker (42) in similar manner.

Bermudaís last recognised batsmen now came together, both with a reputation for flamboyant hitting. They hit, flamboyantly, and were still there at the end, Lionel Carr deciding to avoid the agony of a last-over finish against Scotland by hitting the sixth ball of the penultimate over for yet another straight six.

Bermudaís five-wicket victory was well deserved, and much enjoyed by them. For Scotland, there were no new selection problems for Peter Drinnen to consider ahead of the final against Kenya.