Despite a much improved performance and the first individual victory of the tournament, Bermuda were consigned to the bottom of their group in the first pool stage of the World Team Squash Championships in Vienna, Austria, yesterday, after losing 2-1 to Hong Kong.

Although James Stout and Sam Stevens lost in straight games, both showed signs of improvement and looked to be gradually adjusting to the strenuous pace of the top level.

Nick Kyme, meanwhile, proved beyond all doubt that he has a future in the pro ranks, defeating the Hong Kong number one Faheem Khan in four games, to the delight of the on-looking Bermudian contingent.

Stevens was on court first yesterday and started slowly against Dick Lau, losing the first game 9-1. He refused to submit, however, and proceeded to produce his best squash of the tournament so far during an electric purple patch at the start of the second when he raced into a 5-0 lead. With his opponent becoming increasingly rattled by the Bermudian's tight length to the back of the court, Stevens stepped up to take the ball early and took a 7-2 lead.

After a controversial refereeing decision that went in his favour, however, Lau fought back with a quick succession of winners. At 8-7, a long exhausting rally ensued which ended with Stevens placing a high back hand volley into the tin. Stevens remained pinned in the back corners for the rest of the game and lost it 9-8.

The exertions of the second had clearly taken their toll on the Bermudian and he lost the third 9-0. At one-love down, it was up to Bermuda's top player, Kyme, to keep the rubber alive.

By anybody's standards, the 22-year-old responded magnificently to the challenge, powering his way to into a 7-0 lead in the first game.

Although Khan made fewer errors in the latter part of the game and managed to bring the score to 7-5, he became incensed at a decision which went against him and, losing his concentration, proceeded to place two consecutive drop shots into the tin to gift Kyme the game.

Calmed down by his coach during the break, the Hong Kong player returned to the court a new man. Slowing the pace right down, he completely undermined Kyme's high tempo rhythm, taking the game 9-1.

Kyme was clearly the fitter player, however, and resumed his dominance in the third, manoeuvring Khan around the court and constantly sending him the wrong way with late flicks of the wrist.

After winning it 9-1, Kyme went from strength to strength, taking the ball early and ultimately overwhelming his tiring opponent in the fourth, 9-0.

With the rubber at one-all, the result hinged on the match between Stout and Hong Kong's number two Wong Wai Hang. Despite clearly working hard and producing periods of excellent squash, particularly in the second, the Bermudian youngster never really got on top during the match and was often bettered at the front of the court by Hang's exquisite touch.

The Hong Kong player secured the match 9-4, 9-5, 9-4 in close to half an hour.

Bermuda have now been drawn against Italy in the first round of the second stage.

Meanwhile, Bermuda resident David Palmer and his number one seeded Australian team have been untroubled in the early pool stages, defeating Russia, Germany and Japan, all in straight games. They now move on to play Pakistan in the round of 16.