GICC opening batsman Richard Veillard, who is himself an MCC member, is disappointed to miss out on a short leg-side delivery at Port Soif yesterday. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0779437)

THE MCC yesterday began their annual tour of Guernsey in emphatic fashion.

The GICC were blown away at a windswept but sunny Port Soif by 124 runs with 9.2 overs remaining in the timed match.

The foundation for victory was set by an opening stand worth 161 for the visitors with former Essex second XI player Gareth James hitting a fine 108.

The man who has also faced Lee Savident before in the Hampshire League brought his century up in 99 balls and hit 13 boundaries.

Rovers off spinner Aaron Scoones eventually made the breakthrough on his home turf and finished as the most successful GICC bowler with two wickets while young Matt Breban claimed the other before the MCC declared on 274 for three in just 45.3 overs.

Although the hosts lost skipper Mark Clapham caught behind in the ninth over, Richard Veillard and Adam Martel looked relatively comfortable in adding 41 for the second wicket.