Although Bermuda emerged eventual winners the English students showed far more determination to win and would have done so if Sean Field had not saved the day with a well-taken try five minutes from full time.

The most disappointing performance was from Bermuda's forwards, who lacked basic skills in the set-pieces and looked sluggish throughout most of the second half. However, creditable performances were given by David Cook, and especially Field, who arrived early at most of the breakdowns and harassed the opposition.

The Bermuda forwards, being far more experienced than their younger counterparts, were expected to control the ball in all phases of play.

However, badly controlled and often slow ball was the order of the day for Bermuda, consequently giving their backs a poor platform on which to launch any attacks.

Scrum after scrum was badly channelled, line-outs were rarely contested and Bermuda's second phase ball was too slow. In contrast, Bristol produced quick ball from all phases and constantly ran at Bermuda. Luckily for Bermuda Bristol's penetration in the centre was shut out by the keen attention of Scott Correia and Dave Conway.

The Bristol scrum-half, who was arguably the best back on the field, constantly harassed Gareth Davies and always looked dangerous with the quick ball from his forwards and placed some clever chip kicks which always put Bermuda in trouble.

Bermuda's first score was from a determined individual run from Barry Whitehead, who handed the ball to Matt Gorman who beat two defenders to score.

Alan Oliver converted to give Bermuda a 7-0 lead after 15 minutes.

Within minutes, Whitehead's running was again creating problems for Bristol but with the line at his mercy, he allowed a Bristol defender to knock the ball away from his hands. This was followed by another dropped pass by Bermuda near the line.

A penalty for offside at a maul gave Bristol an easy three points, and just before half-time an excellent blind side break by the Bristol scrum-half gave a supporting flanker an easy try. The half-time score was 8-7 to Bristol.

In the second half, the Bermuda forwards tired much faster than Bristol, who lived in Bermuda territory for much of the second half. A penalty for both sides pushed the score to 11-10 in favour of Bristol.

With minutes to go to full time, a rare break into the Bristol half by Alvin Harvey created the best try of the day with Scott Correia opening gaps in the Bristol defence. Good support from Ali Nicholl and Field gave Bermuda a try near the posts. Oliver converted to give Bermuda a 17-11 victory leaving a dejected Bristol team with two losses from two games having been beaten by the Onions 42-25 last Wednesday.

Bristol's last game is against a Bermuda President's XV, which is essentially Bermuda's `B' today at National Sports Club (5.30 p.m.).

HOLD IT -- Scott Correia puts the wraps on a young Bristol forward.

HEAD OF STEAM -- Bermuda try scorer Barry Whitehead is determined in his charge upfield on Saturday against Bristol University.