Netball Championships in Birmingham, England yesterday.

The women's team began on a high note, however, ending the first quarter deadlocked with Wales 10-10 and were within reach of closing the gap when the score was 26-18 for Wales after the first half.

But Wales proved too strong after that and continued to pad their lead in the final two quarters.

Debbie DeShields scored 26 points from 31 shots for Bermuda while Wenda Godfrey added seven more on 18 shots to lead the Bermuda attack.

"We turned over the ball too much,'' said assistant coach Carol Bean last night. "Wales had a height advantage and they used that to their advantage, so we'll have to pick up our game against Antigua.'' Bermuda will play Antigua today and Western Samoa tomorrow and there will be at least one change in the line-up with Petti Tucker replacing goalkeeper Nina Webb, who bruised her ribs in a collision yesterday.

The last time Bermuda competed at the Worlds in 1987 they drew their match against Wales, when Bean was a member of that side.

"They were a lot more competitive this time,'' said Bean of Wales. "They seemed to know what to expect.''