A group of Bermudian teenagers have proven that they can hold their own against the best in the world in a war of words.

Nicholas Pacheco and Nicole Pinder of Mount St. Agnes, Charles Souza of Bermuda Institute, and Rahan Smith of Berkeley Institute are representing Bermuda in the eighth World Debating Championships in Sydney, Australia.

Before the team set off for the land down under on July 31, coach Gladstone Thompson told The Royal Gazette the group was the best local team he had seen so far.

And according to Bermuda Debate Society chairman Terry Lister this is proving to be true.

Sen. Lister yesterday said: "Our students are doing very well over there.

They are just completing the first round. They have a record of four wins and two losses.'' The local students, aged 16 to 17, have managed to beat Malaysia, Singapore and Pakistan.

And while they lost to two top debating teams -- Scotland and Australia -- the youngsters beat England.

The local team have one more debate in the first round against the US tonight.

Some of the resolutions on the debate schedule are "This house believes that sports brings out the best in us'', "This house believes that we should fear China'', "Voluntary euthanasia should be legalised'', and "We should censor the Internet''.

The students will also face impromptu debates in which teams will only receive the resolutions about an hour before the debate.

Sen. Lister said: "If we're successful against the US, we will be able to go to the next round. It will be the first time a team from Bermuda reached that point.'' The second stage of the championships will be held in Canberra.

Last year Bermuda placed tenth overall and beat New Zealand, Italy, Malaysia, and Israel, the team that eventually won the championships in Wales.

And earlier this year, when Australia's 1995 debating team spent six days in Bermuda the visit culminated with a Bermuda versus Australia three-man debate in the Cathedral Hall, narrowly won by Australia.

The local team, which is accompanied by judge Elizabeth Virgo and Mr.

Thompson, will return home on August 16, three months before the annual National Schools Debating Championship to be held at Stonington Beach Hotel.

The national championship is scheduled to be held on November 23.

And in January next year Bermuda will host the ninth World Championships.