Bermuda?s bid for a third straight Under 15 Americas Championship shifts into high gear today in Trinidad where the touring team are scheduled to meet South Modern Secondary in the first of five limited overs matches to be played during a ten-day training exercise on the Caribbean Island.

Bermuda?s youngsters have held the title since 2002 when Bailey?s Bay all-rounder Rodney (Picnic) Trott captained the Island to victory in Orlando, Florida.

Under the captaincy of Malachi Jones ? son of former Somerset Cup Match and Southampton Rangers batsman Olin ? Bermuda successfully defended their title in the Cayman Islands in 2004.

The local entourage ? headed by Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) executive Allen Richardson ? arrived safely at Piarco International Airport in Port of Spain late Thursday evening, but were delayed in customs as narcotics officers conducted a wide search for a considerable amount of drugs said to be destined for the Caribbean Island.

?We had to wait at the airport for a long time as there were so many people waiting at customs,? Richardson told from Trinidad. ?We were told that there was a large number of narcotics officers and police at the airport who had received information that a large amount of drugs was to be smuggled into the country.?

Richardson?s son, Dante, is also included in the Island?s 16-member squad.

The two-time defending Under 15 Americas champions took advantage of yesterday?s sunny skies to acclimatise to the warmer conditions and also familiarise themselves with their new surroundings at the Frank Worrell Development Centre in rural Trinidad.

?We are trying to give the boys a taste of what it is like to live at a cricket academy and spend most of their time concentrating on cricket,? Richardson explained.

?And I feel they will do well as they have put in a lot of work.?

Bermuda will have little time to recover following today?s opening contest as they are scheduled to play Fatina College tomorrow.

?They will also have practical sessions and video analysis and will train mornings and afternoon,? Richardson added.

The squad is coached by Richardson?s former St.David?s? team-mate George Cannonier and former Cleveland County cricketer Grant Smith, and captained by promising Somerset all-rounder Jordan DeSilva.

?We?ve been training very hard and I think we can compete down there,? DeSilva told . : J.DeSilva (capt), G.Maybury, D.Richardson, M.Hudson, D.Darrell, K.Furbert, M.Johnson, P.Smith, T.Fray, R.Tyrell, T.Govia, M.Bassett, K.Fubler, S.Dill, S.Smith, K.Williams.