BPCC played Grantham in the opening game of the day and were out in to bat in a wicket that looked helpful for the bowlers. James Laud and Chris Logan took to the crease and were tasked with getting park off to a flyer. Logan was the first to fall for 14, pinned LBW for 14 but Pete foster picked up where the kiwi had left off. Together with Laud, they ran excellently between the wickets and put away any loose deliveries, taking the score beyond 100 in the process. Foster became the second victim of the day for 43 from just 24 balls as the score had raced to 123-2 from just 11 overs. Laud in the meantime bought up a well-made 50. Ryan Gilmour (2), Mike Hobbiss (0) and Josh Weller (4) all came and went within the next 3 overs when Alex Ashwin came to the crease to join the young opener. The Burghley Captain took 25 from his first 11 balls adding some late impetus to the innings. After Laud was dismissed for 66 from just 37 deliveries, Lando Thain (11), Ashwin (25) & Stuart Biggs(3) all found their demise trying to force late runs. The Burghley innings closed 177-9, Nauman Abid the pick of the Grantham bowlers with 3-21

In reply, Mohammed Azhar made a breakthrough in the first over, Mohammed Saif caught by Foster for 10. Park were able to restrict the runs for the remainder of the power play, leaving Grantham 40-1 from 6. With more men now positioned in the boundaries, and runs becoming increasingly hard to come by, Grantham started to lose wickets at regular intervals, first Gilmour took the prize wicket of Lincs Minor counties player Qundeel Haider (18) before Biggs and Laud well and truly put the brakes on the innings. Biggs claimed 3-17 from his excellent 4 over spell and Laud 3-8 from his spell, leaving the Grantham innings in tatters. Chris Logan followed suit taking 2-10 from 2 overs and having been 54-1, Grantham had been bowled out for 96. A dominant performance from Burghley who were superb in the field and would now have a game off before facing Bourne in the final game of the day.

After watching a tense battle between Bourne & Grantham which saw Bourne chase down 152 with just 2 balls to spare, the equation for the final game was simple, winner takes all.

Bourne won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket that was getting increasingly difficult to score on, especially against slow bowling.

Sam Evison & Jack Berry got Bourne off to a flying start before Josh Weller struck in the 5th over, Bowling both Evison (28) and Ben Woodward (0). Bourne finishing the 6-over power play 52-2.

Jack Berry and Dan Freeman then built a dangerous partnership, punishing some tired bowling, with Berry taking his personal tally beyond 50 before Ryan Gilmour deceived Freeman in the flight and foster swiftly removed the bails, Bourne now 124-3 after 13 overs. With a big total looking likely, Burghley then fought back with the ball. Ashwin (1-34) bowled Berry before Weller took 2 wickets in 2 balls and suddenly the innings had ground to a halt. Jordan Temple and Liam Thompson were able to see out the innings and get Bourne to a competitive 156-6. A great fightback from Burghley with the last 7 overs giving up just 32 runs. Josh Weller the pick of the park bowlers with 4-15 from his 4 overs.

Laud and Logan started just as the Bourne opening pair had, finding and clearing the boundary with regularity. When Logan was bowled by Thompson in the 5th over, the score had moved to 42-1. However, just as had happened at the weekend, the wicket sparked somewhat of a collapse from the park side. The Bourne Spinners of Jack Berry and Ben Woodward took a combined 7-23 from 6 overs to completely dismantle the Burghley middle order, only Foster (11), Laud (17) and Lando Thain (15) made double figures and Burghley ultimately slumped to 106 all out.

A long, tough day, but one that proves that Burghley Park 1st XI are beyond capable of competing with some of the best teams in the league.

Thes matches were sponsored by Flawless Faces