Bermuda?s national Under-19 team thrashed Argentina by nine wickets in King City, Toronto, yesterday to get their 2006 World Youth Cup qualifying campaign off to a flying start.

The Island?s youngsters restricted their South American opponents to less than a hundred and then wasted little time reaching the winning target with nine wickets in hand.

Stefan Kelly, who made his Cup Match debut for newly crowned champions St.George?s at Wellington Oval late last month, spearheaded the bowling attack, claiming four for 22 off ten overs while fellow medium pacers Brian Phipps and Justin Pitcher took two for 16 and two for 13 respectively as Argentina were dismissed in 27 overs.

?Stefan bowled extremely well today though I think one or two of our bowlers failed to live up to expectations,? assistant coach Andre (Doc) Manders later assessed. ?He bowled extremely well attacking the stumps and overall I was pleased with the team?s fielding and bowling performance.?

Describing playing conditions in Toronto as ?nice?, Manders added: ?The wickets over here are playing fast and true.?

P.Brino (30) and I.Rebello (18) were the only Argentine batsmen in double figures.

In reply, Bermuda skipper Oronde Bascome and vice-captain Rodney Trott took the local team to the brink of victory via a 91-run opening partnership in 16 overs and in 70 minutes, the former falling one run shy of a deserved half-century as he attempted to pierce the mid-wicket boundary.

Bascome scored 49 off 48 balls in 67 minutes and hit nine fours while Trott remained unbeaten with 25, scored off 51 balls in 59 minutes.

?These guys have been batting very well opening the innings,? Manders continued. ?We actually wanted to bat first but we lost the toss. But in the end things still worked out in our favour because we knocked them down cheap and then lost only one wicket trying to pull down their runs.?

Bermuda take on USA today, also at King City, in a crucial match that could significantly help the Island team?s chances of qualifying for next year?s Under-19 World Cup Finals in Sri Lanka.

?I anticipate a tough match against USA tomorrow (today),? Manders cautioned. ?But if we come to the match mentally prepared, then I?m confident we can achieve our goal.?

Assisting Manders is brother Arnold and St.George?s skipper Herbie Bascome.

At last report yesterday, Canada were 95 for three after 18 overs in reply to the USA?s formidable 256.