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Bermuda breathed life into their World Cup qualifying campaign with a comprehensive demolition of Denmark today.

A measured unbeaten 76 from opener David Hemp, who moved up the order in place of Lionel Cann, took the islanders to their first victory of the tour after a disciplined performance in the field had restricted the Danes to 157 all out.

Rodney Trott (4 for 30 from ten) and Janeiro Tucker (3 for 29 from ten) did the bulk of the damage with the ball before Hemp guided Bermuda to an emphatic nine wicket win, with almost 12 overs remaining.

But it was Jacobi Robinson - only on this tour because of an injury to Chris Douglas - that started the demolition job, claiming two wickets in an over, at the tail end of a fiery opening spell that more than justified the decision to promote him to the first XI at the expense of Stefan Kelly.

The only downside for Bermuda was that fast bowler George O'Brien limped off the field with a knee injury that may keep him out of Monday's game with Kenya.

"We're still alive," said relieved skipper Irving Romaine after celebrating the first victory of the tournament at the Vaal University cricket ground this afternoon.

Two defeats in two days to UAE and Afghanistan had put Bermuda on the brink of elimination.

And though today's victory gives them a fighting chance of making the Super 8 stages, results elsewhere - including UAE's surprise victory over Holland - mean Bermuda are in fifth place in the group.

They need at least one more win against either Kenya on Monday or Holland on Wednesday to prevent an early exit. Victories in both matches would virtually assure qualification.

"It's up to us. We have to go out there and win. Every game is a cup final now," added Romaine.

"We know what Kenya's got. We've come close to beating them in the past, now its time to go over that final hurdle."

Coach Gus Logie rang the changes, bringing in Robinson and Fiqre Crockwell for Kelly and Jekon Edness and pushing Hemp up to open the innings.

All three moves paid

Robinson and Janeiro Tucker ripped the heart out of the top order reducing Denmark to 68 for 5 in 21 overs. Then Rodney Trott delivered the killer blows, claiming four wickets in a superb spell.

Bobby Chawla and Tommy Hansen had briefly threatened a revival for the Danes but the big fast bowler pulled up injured and had to retire hurt before Trott cleaned up the tail.

The injury to Hansen was significant because it meant the Danes lost their most potent bowler.

Defending a total of 158 was always going to be tough, without their best bowler it was almost impossible.

Bermuda still needed to show more composure than they had in the two previous games however and it took a cool and collected performance from Hemp to guide them home.

Hemp looked at home in the opener's role compiling a chanceless 76 from 105 balls, including six fours and one huge six into the trees on the leg-side boundary.

And his opening partnership of 82 with young Fiqre Crockwell, who continued where he left off in the Caribbean with an equally assured 26, set the platform for victory.

And a classy cameo from Stephen Outerbridge (33 not out), up the order at 3 after Glenn Blakeney bruised his finger in the field, finished the job.

Fittingly, though, it was Hemp who hit the winning runs with a trademark cover drive for four to bring up the win with 11.5 overs remaining.

The former Glamorgan skipper said he had enjoyed his new opening role.

"We had a discussion yesterday and decided to go for a change of tactics, let me go up front and try to bat through the innings and fortunately I was able to do that today.

"It was a good toss to win and it made things easier for us when their opening bowler pulled up injured but they are a competitive side and it's great just to get a win."

Hemp is likely to stay as opener for Monday's showdown with Kenya, a game which he accepts will be a much tougher prospect.

"I think we'll stick with that plan for Monday. I still think this team has a bit more to give.

"We have to back ourselves and do the basics well. It won't be easy but it's a one-off game and anything can happen."

Spinner Trott, who has bowled consistently well throughout the tournament, said he hoped today's result would be a turning point for Bermuda.

"Hopefully we can go from strength to strength now. Everybody will be up for it and we still have a big chance to go through."

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