Bermuda's interest in next year's Twenty/20 World Cup in England is over after they lost to both Scotland and Ireland at the qualifying tournament in Belfast yesterday.

Scotland demolished Irving Romaine's side by eight wickets in a one-sided affair in the morning, and Bermuda then capitulated in disappointing fashion against Ireland in the afternoon, when they needed just 46 to win in a match reduced to nine overs per side..

In truth, the chances of Bermuda actually making it out of the group stages had all but gone after the first defeat when their measly total of 99 for eght from 20 overs left them with a run rate far inferior to anyone else in the group.

Still, a win over Ireland would have given them a slim chance of making it to the semi-finals, but in a rain-affected game they failed to make the most of restricting their opponents to 43 for seven, and in the end fell just short at 41 for eight.

The result was a tough one on Bermuda, who before the rain came had Ireland struggling at 41 for four, and with Andrew White also retiring hurt after suffering a painful blow from a delivery by Stefan Kelly, the hosts were in trouble.

Once the rain stopped, Ireland had one over remaining, but it was Romaine who made the most of it, taking three wickets and conceding just two runs to put his side firmly in charge.

But much like they had done against Scotland in the morning, Bermuda's batsmen failed to deliver. Chris Foggo was out first ball, scooping a ball over his shoulder to be well held by M.Fourie at fine leg.

Worse was to follow for Bermuda, who then lost David Hemp two balls later, edging a fine ball from Peter Connell to wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien.

Connell then all but ended Bermuda's hopes of winning the game when he trapped Stephen Outerbridge lbw to leave Romaine's side reeling at 14 for three. It could have been much worse for Bermuda, who had James Celestine dropped twice in a matter of minutes.

With so much at stake, however, both sides began to panic a little, with wild swings costing wickets, suicidal runs bringing both fielding follies and sometimes botched run-outs.

The bowlers generally handled the pressure much better than the batsmen or fielders, with Andre Botha doing a good job with two wickets for four runs, Cusack close behind with just five runs conceded. Connell was to take man of match accolades, however, with a very impressive three for eight.

Bermuda, whose target had looked too easy in theory, suddenly found themselves at 26 for six with just 17 deliveries left.

Bermuda needing 18 off the last two overs, the game took on a slightly freakish bent. There was a suicidal run-out, with Jekon Edness completely losing his head, George O'Brien smashing the ball to all parts before going for one lusty blow too many, and setting up a nailbiting finish.

In the end Bermuda needed nine of the last over, and they managed just five.

If the batting in the afternoon was bad, it was worse in the morning against Scotland, with only Outerbridge (37 not out) making a significant contribution in a poor total of 99.

The Islanders struggled in the early morning sunshine. Their openers departed quickly as Foggo was trapped lbw on six and OJ Pitcher run out by Ryan Watson on 13.

Richie Berrington's first delivery removed James Celestine for no score and then skipper Ryan Watson introduced himself, tempting David Hemp to pick out John Blain at long-on for 20 when he had looked menacing.

At 49 for four after just 11 overs, Bermuda had lost the initiative.

Man of the match Dewald Nel, who took three for 15, removed Irving Romaine and Jekon Edness in turn. And, with Rodney Trott stumped for a duck, it required Outerbridge's obduracy to guide his side to 99 for seven.

The Scots had to overcome some early jitters before claiming victory.

Their reply suffered a huge blow when Watson's first ball saw him pull to Romaine at mid-wicket, followed swiftly by Watts (7), who was less than pleased to be adjudged lbw to Stefan Kelly.

However, Navdeep Poonia and Colin Smith proved resolute with a partnership of 92 that steered their side to a comfortable margin, the wicketkeeper-batsman driving his fourth boundary through square-leg as Scotland won with 14 balls to spare.