Ninth World Schools' Debating Championships.

The local team of Saltus student Trevor Leitch, Mount Saint Agnes Academy student Jennifer Rhind, and Berkeley Institute students Rashan Smith, Eugene Johnston, and Jordan Zancanella -- beat Lithuania by a score of two to one in the unprepared debate at Whitney Institute.

Arguing convincingly against the motion of "This House believes political leaders should pay more attention to public opinion'', the team brought their overall record up to three wins.

But with a loss to England and Australia in previous rounds, the youngsters have to gain one more win to reach the quarter finals.

And according to a Bermuda Debate Society spokesman, this is very much possible.

After today's rest day which will include tours for more than 140 participants courtesy of the Tourism Department, the locals are slated to match their wits in rounds six, seven, and eight with the US, Wales and Argentina, respectively.

While the US and Wales appear to be strong opponents -- each have four wins, Argentina has not won any of the eight rounds. And a win against the South American team by Bermuda would place the local team in the quarter finals.

"They have a good chance of making the quarter finals,'' a spokesman said.

The quarter finals, which Bermuda narrowly missed in last year's competition, will be held on Thursday morning at Berkeley Institute, Bermuda High School for Girls, Saltus Grammar School, and Mount Saint Agnes Academy.

They will be followed by the semi finals on Thursday afternoon at the Bermuda College.

The finals, which will be open to the public and televised on ZBM television, will be held on Friday afternoon at St. Paul's AME Centennial Hall on Victoria Street, Pembroke.

Scotland, which has a perfect record of five wins so far, is favoured to reach the finals.