MCC 245 BCBC Select 238 Glen Blakeney made a statement. So too did Garry Williams. But visiting MCC once again had the final word, notching their fourth consecutive victory yesterday as they defeated a BCBC Select by seven runs at Southampton Oval.

The tourists suffered a major scare as Bermuda's supposed second string made them sweat it out all the way to the end, with Blakeney and Williams key cogs.

Blakeney proved worth the price of admission and the crowd grew rapidly as word spread of his exploits at the crease.

Treating all manner of bowler MCC skipper Colin Metson threw at him with ruthless disdain, Blakeney made a case for inclusion in the ICC Trophy team, unleashing a full repertoire of cuts, pulls and drives to all parts of the field on his way to a top score of 64, which included eight fours and four sixes.

With Bermuda having been set a target of 245, the left-hander joined fellow discard Sheridan (Baldy) Ming in an opening partnership that produced 114 and had Metson and Co. scratching their heads.

Ming accounted for 31 of the stand, showing solid technique before being deceived by a slower delivery from Ben Oliver and offering a simple return catch.

Blakeney went soon after, mistiming a pull off Zimbabwean Test player Paul Strang and top edging to Oliver, who took a catch running away towards backward square-leg.

"I didn't go out there to necessarily make a statement, but to do what I always do when I go out to bat, just looking for a good innings,'' said Blakeney, arguably the most attractive batsman on the Island. "It was easy out there today, they didn't bowl anything that particularly troubled me. They got some movement, but nothing I couldn't handle.'' The dismissals of Blakeney and Ming sparked the sort of collapse that has become all too customary for Bermuda's teams during the current tour.

From 114 for two Bermuda lost the next five wickets with the addition of just 49 runs and were in deep trouble with Wendell White left as the lone recognised batsman.

But the local team found resource for a fightback as White and young Jacobi Robinson (16) put on 23 for the eighth wicket and then added a further 52 with Williams, who produced some lusty hitting at number ten, slamming two fours and two sixes in his knock of 27, before waltzing down the crease to Steve Andrew and being stumped by Metson.

White finally succumbed with 12 balls remaining and seven runs needed, as he had his leg stump uprooted by Oliver.

"They gave us a shock today,'' said a relieved Metson. "We had the games against the national side and they were close -- at least the first one -- and we came into this one thinking we could rest a few players and relax a little bit.

"But both opening bowlers bowled well and suddenly we were 50 for five or something and I was looking at 150 at one stage, but to get 240 was a blessing.

"I didn't expect the two openers to come at us like they did, the two opening bats played superbly, particularly the left hander, he struck it well.'' Earlier Williams ripped into MCC's vaunted batting line-up, the paceman claiming the first three wickets to fall as the visitors found themselves floundering at 29 for three.

More destruction was to come as captain Corey Hill and White chimed in with three wickets between them, further reducing MCC to 68-for-six.

However, displaying great batting depth, the MCC clawed their way back from the depths largely on the bat of number seven Oliver, who blazed his way to 94, counting nine fours and four sixes. Others chipping in were Ian Hampshire (27), Strang (20) and Metson (21 not out).

One observer gratified despite the loss was BCBC president El James who noted some very good performances, and it could well be that some among national squad are now looking over their shoulders.

"Baldy and Glenn played tremendously well, but while everyone's talking about the batting, the bowling was good today as well,'' said James. "Garry Williams bowled really, really well, as did Corey Hill, and in fact everyone did a tremendous job. These fellows have a point to prove ... and they made their point.'' Captain Corey: BCBC Select skipper Corey Hill (left) sends down a delivery against MCC. Hill was the most economical of Bermuda's bowlers, taking one for 31 from 10 overs. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper Dean Minors (right) snatched four catches in yesterday's matches.