Mission accomplished! That was the verdict of rugby coach Pete Shillingford after the national team?s participation in the weekend?s seven-a-side tournament.

The event served as both a national sevens championship and, more importantly, a critical warm-up for the Bermuda sevens squad prior to their qualification tournament in the Cayman Islands which could earn them a berth in the 2005 World Cup and 2006 Commonwealth Games.

?Everything as far as we (the coaching staff) were concerned went exactly to plan,? Shillingford told ?The boys had a very good run-out against some good competition while at the same time the event was very successful.?

The one concern that could have arisen from games so close to a major tournament did not come to the fore as all 12 members of the Bermuda squad left BAA Field without incurring major injuries.

?As in all contact sports, injuries rear their head but quite often they are not as bad as first seems,? noted Shillingford.

?We had some concern when Andy Trinder pulled up with a slight hamstring problem during our first match. However, after resting him for the remainder of the afternoon, improvement could be seen upon his departure from the ground. As for the rest of the lads, it?s all systems go.?

The national squad?s other objective during the competition was to come out victorious during their four matches. And this they accomplished with relative ease, although they were stretched in the final by a spirited Renegades team before running out 38-12 winners.

Questioned over the absence of top players Josh McGavern and Jonathan Cassidy from the victorious squad, coach Shillingford was quick to point out that both had been given the opportunity to wear Bermuda?s colours but had declined due to personal reasons.

?Obviously their experience will be sorely missed but I must emphasise that I am very, very happy with the 12 players we?ve picked,? added the coach.

?The lads have been working hard together for the last two months and there?s a great team spirit building.

?Naturally we would like to have all our best players representing Bermuda but you must always look forward, the players selected have both the drive and commitment needed to represent their country with pride and passion.?

Shillingford noted that as the team didn?t possess raw natural outside speed, the game would have to be played under Bermuda?s control.

?You must adapt your game to what talent is available. We?ve got good ball retention plus good teamwork and that?s what we need to keep working on. As long as we have control of the ball, the opposition will not to be able to score, and as long as we have plenty of support around the ball carrier, while keeping our continuity, we will give ourselves opportunities.?

As for Bermuda?s chances at claiming a place among rugby?s elite at both the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup, Shillingford remained optimistic.

?Our confidence is high after the weekend?s performance and the players realise they can go to the Caribbean and get the job done. I am one hundred percent sure that if they play to their full potential we can become the best in the Caribbean and who knows perhaps add the scalp of the mighty United States along the way.

?The first goal is to become Caribbean champions and secure the all important place for Bermuda at the Commonwealth Games in Sydney, Australia come 2006.?