A tactical error cost Aaron Evans a podium finish with Bermuda's top medal hope finishing a disappointing fourth at the CAC Games in Puerto Rico.

Evans, who had been one of the race favourites heading into the Games, finished Thursday's 800 metre final in a time of one minute 48.19 seconds – seventh of a second behind Jamaica's bronze medallist Aldwyn Sappleton.

There was also frustration for sprinter Tre Houston who was disqualified in the 200 metres for false starting, while Latroya Darrell missed out on the triple jump finals.

Long jumper Arantxa King finished sixth in the long jump finals last night with a leap of 6.06m.

Donna Watson, Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) president, said Evans was angry at the technical mistakes he made in his 800 metres race.

"I know (Aaron) was not pleased as he made a few technical mistakes during the race," she said. "The time the event was won in was not a time foreign to Aaron.

"He has had a great and long season . . . placing fourth in the finals of the CAC Games is not bad at all for his first time moving into the open competition."

In tennis, Team Bermuda found the going tough in the second round of competition against some daunting regional opponents on Tuesday.

Gavin Manders was beaten 6-4, 6-3 by the tournaments number two seed, Daniel Garza. Caitlin Gordon was beaten 6-0, 6-0 by number six seed Giuliana Olmo.

And Jacklyn Lambert went down 6-0, 6-1 against Alejandra Granillo, the tournament's number two seed. All three opponents were from Mexico.

The final match of the day saw Gordon and Tara Lambert lose 6-0, 6-0 in the ladies' doubles against number two seeds Andrea Gamiz and Marianne Mucci from Venezuela.

Team manager Ian Gordon said: "The level of competition at CAC Games is equal to the very impressive tennis centre at Mayguez University. The Bermuda team was well prepared and performed at a very high level."

Bermuda gymnast Morgan Beckles finished 15th with 39.25 points while her team-mate Rosie Finnigan placed 16th with 36.40 points on Wednesday.

Coaches Duke Nelligan and Mandi Baughman were impressed both by the girls' efforts and also by the standard of gymnastics at the Games.

Baughman said: "Several women competing in this event have been to the Olympic Games, World Championships, or competed at the collegiate level.

"Morgan and Rosie have several years ahead of them to match their skill level. But they rose to the challenge and qualified to the all-around final, a huge accomplishment. They have made their coaches and their country very proud."

Last night, Bermuda's hockey team were due to play host nation Puerto Rico to determine the competition's seventh and eighth place finishes.

Earlier in the week the team had gone into their game against Barbados knowing a win would propel them to the medal round for the first time ever.

But Bermuda lost 1-0 when Barbados converted a hotly disputed penalty stroke in the 19th minute, and Bermuda followed up that defeat with a 1-0 loss against Jamaica.

In their first pool match against Guyana, Bermuda drew 0-0 before losing 4-0 against top team Trinidad and Tobago, who are gearing up for the Commonwealth Games.

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