Holland 124-6 Winners of the International Youth Tournament on two previous occasions, Bermuda yesterday ended their participation this year on a familiar note when they suffered a six-wicket defeat at the hands of Holland at Somerset.

It was their sixth straight loss and a far cry from the success enjoyed in previous years which saw them win the title in 1979 under Charlie Marshall and again in 1985 under Darrin Lewis.

The performance of the team left many openly wondering about Bermuda's future in the international arena.

Countries that Bermuda once defeated with ease are now beating them at both senior and junior level, a fact highlighted in this year's ICC Trophy competition in Malaysia and over the past week here at home.

In yesterday's finale, in which Bermuda attempted to salvage some pride, Holland's bowlers got on top from the outset and never allowed the Island's bats time to settle down.

Opening bowler Sebastiaan Gokke did the damage with his pace and accuracy, taking five wickets for 24 runs off 10 overs, two of which were maidens, while off-spinner Faisal Zaman gave valuable assistance, finished off the tail with three for 16 off 9.4 overs, including two maidens.

Gokke had Bermuda reeling at 27 for five and it took a fighting sixth-wicket stand of 92 between top bat Ricky Brangman and skipper Travis Smith to stop the rout. Brangman stroked 60 off 87 balls, including 11 fours, while Smith was run out for 28. Nobody else reached double figures.

Holland suffered a shaky start when opener Tobias De Rooy (2) was dimissed with just two runs scored, but number three bat Ejaz Nawaz struck an elegant 46 to steer them away from any further danger.

Also among the runs was the other opener, Antonia Barca, who scored 19 while number seven bat Gijs Binns was not out on 15.

Quinton Sherlock was the pick of the Bermuda bowlers with two for 36 off 10 overs.

Canada 271 Bermuda 212 On Saturday, Bermuda had fared no better when Damian Mills struck 93 and David McGowan hit 36 to help Canada score a comfortable 59-run victory at Wellington Oval.

The opening pair ripped into Bermuda's bowling attack with a stand of 141, Mills being the dominant partner as he stroked seven fours and five sixes off 67 balls during his 79-minute stay at the crease.

Ashish Bagai (33) and Manzoor Chaudhary (15) were the other top scorers for Canada.

Spinner Quincy Burgess led the Bermuda attack with five for 36 off 6.4 overs, including a maiden while fast bowler Quinton Sherlock snatched two for 43 off 10 overs, one a maiden.

Bermuda reached their highest total of the tournament, though falling short in reply, batting for 46.3 overs with opener Dale Benjamin top scoring with 43.

Azeem Pitcher scored 38 and skipper Travis Smith 32. Garreth Benjamin took two for nine off 2.3 overs while Manzoor Chaudhary took two for 30 and skipper Shruti Pal Sing two for 39.