Bermuda's run-chasing exercise backfired as an early order batting collapse condemned them to a 43-run defeat in their warm-up match against cricketing minnows Uganda.

Front-line batsmen Stephen Outerbridge, Jekon Edness, James Celestine, David Hemp and Irving Romaine were all dismissed without reaching double figures at the Sir Ali Muslim Cricket Club, in Kenya, yesterday.

A quickfire half-century from Lionel Cann (73) nearly dragged the tourists to within striking distance of Uganda's 253 all out, but the loss of three quick tail-end wickets left them trailing on 210.

The Islanders won the toss and made a pre-meditated decision to bowl first so to practise chasing a total as they prepare for the first of three one-day internationals (ODI) against Kenya in Nairobi.

Coach Gus Logie also used their second friendly against Uganda to blood his young charges with off-spinners Rodney Trott and Tamuari Tucker having the chance to stake a claim.

And both under-19 internationals did not disappoint taking two wickets apiece as Uganda were reduced to 253 all out off 49.4 overs. Trott and Cann were the pick of the bowlers taking two for 35 and two for 47 respectively, while Janeiro Tucker also produced economical figures of one for 13 off 5.4 overs.

But it was Logie's seasoned batsman who failed to produce with skipper Irving Romaine (0) falling to a suspect lbw decision and newly appointed vice-captain David Hemp (two) also going cheaply.

Bermuda made the worst possible start to their run chase when promising opener Stephen Outerbridge was caught behind for a duck while Jekon Edness, who shared an 83-run stand with Outerbridge in last weekend's win over Uganda, only posting eight.

James Celestine could not buck the trend and was dismissed for six, and was followed in quick succession by Romaine and Hemp. Encouragingly Bermuda's lower middle-order provided some rearguard action through Tucker (31) Cann, Trott (46) and Malachi Jones (23).

Skipper Romaine said Bermuda were on the receiving end of a couple of suspect umpiring decisions but remained upbeat ahead of their one-day series with Kenya.

"We usually like to bat first when we win the toss but we know Kenya often elect to bat also, so we thought we would use the match to give ourselves a run chase but our early order batsmen collapsed. Janeiro Tucker and Lionel Cann helped rebuild our innings and we looked as though we would mount a challenge but we lost three quick wickets at the end.

"I thought Stephen Outerbridge was unlucky as he didn't play at the ball when the umpire gave him out caught behind. I also thought my lbw was a little suspect, but that's no excuse.

"There were positives to come from the game with our youngsters Rodney Trott, Tamuari Tucker and Malachi Jones showing a lot of maturity. We rested a few of our main players so to give some other guys match practice and we still feel confident."

Next week Bermuda will resume their quest for a first Intercontinental Cup win in two years when they take on Kenya. The Islanders, who reached the semi-finals of the competition in 2005, suffered crushing defeats in their previous two Intercontinental Cup matches this year against the Netherlands in Amsterdam and two-time defending champions Ireland in Dublin.

But with Glamorgan skipper David Hemp, all-rounder Janeiro Tucker and paceman Kevin Hurdle all returning to the fold, it is hoped Bermuda should at least give a better account of themselves this time around.

And the week after, Logie's men will round off their tour with another four-day match against the United Arab Emirates in Dubai.