On the second ground at Rugby, Scotland launched their campaign with a dominant performance, defeating Guernsey by 173 runs.

Batting first after captain Shujaa Khan had won the toss, Scotland amassed 313, which may take some beating as the highest score of the week, in spite of being dismissed three overs from time.

Rory Johnston scored 80 in quick time from the opener's berth, striking fourteen boundaries, Finlay McCreath contributed 57, while both Gillin (27 from 19) and Carnegie (22 from 11) played aggressive cameo roles towards the end of the innings.

For Guernsey, their captain Tom Nightingale and Declan Martel both picked up four wickets to finish in credit, but some poor fielding and as many as 45 wides meant that the Channel Islanders needed six an over from the start of their innings.

And while Guernsey made a positive start, reaching 87-2, thanks primarily to Nairn Guilbert's 36 and despite early breakthroughs from Euan Dawtrey (2-25), scoreboard pressure told in the end.

Indeed, from the respectable position of 123-4, Guernsey's tail collapsed to 140 all out, Ryan Cameron taking 3-16 in a very economical ten-over spell.

Guernsey now have two days of rest before the grudge match against neighbours Jersey, while the Scots have more than thrown their hat into the ring as contenders for the title.