Having been put into bat, the gingers of Mike Hobbiss and Josh Gallimore strode to the crease to begin the innings. Both men started brightly, finding the boundary regularly, but it was Hobbiss this week that became the first victim, James Pickering finding his inside edge with a ball that jagged back sharply off the pitch and keeper Nicholas Thomas doing the rest. Chris Logan, promoted up the order due to regular 3 Ryan Gilmour suffering from gout, looked to be positive as always. Hobbiss in the meantime time, was back out in the middle after Gallimore had pulled up after a wonderful back foot punch and a runner was required. Logan could only add 8 to the total before a superb catch running back over the shoulder was taken by John Wigfield from the bowling of Pickering.

Burghley’s in form man Pete Foster then joined Gallimore at the crease, and the pair started to score with ease. However, just 12 runs shy of his half Century, opposition skipper Hayden Bromfield found a way under the bat of Gallimore and he had to depart. Sam Potter was a welcome sight back from university and he picked up where Gallimore left off. The run rate was kept in check by the introduction of overseas Vinura Dulsara and he soon struck. Potter was only able to get a fine edge on a cut shot and he had to walk off with 13 to his name.

Ed Mayell, on BPCC debut, then calamitously ran himself out before Nick Fisher was able to add 11 from 34 balls and Burghley found themselves 151-6 and in danger of posting an under-par score.

Then came the real partnership of note for the visitors. Skipper Alex Ashwin joined Foster, and the pair picked up where they had left off last week, rotating the strike well and punishing any loose deliveries. Thankfully, Burghley’s captain decided not to run his prolific keeper-batsmen out this week and between them they were able to take the score beyond 250, both passing their respective half centuries in the process. With just 5 overs remaining and late runs the order of the day, Ashwin holed out to Ben Ward from the bowling of Dulsara for a well-made 55 before Stuart Biggs also continued his fine form with the bat. He contributed 20 from 18 deliveries including 2 sixes but Foster came up agonisingly short of a second 100 of the season, only able to get thigh pads on his final delivery of the innings to finish 99* from 102 balls. Another masterclass from the Burghley number 4 and Park had set a total of 296-8.

As is most always the case, Ashwin and Logan shared the new ball. On this occasion, Ashwin was unable to find his line and length in his early spell, however, Logan was very much the opposite. Bowling with real pace, he was extracting good bounce from the pitch and causing real issues for the Nettleham batters. First Ahmed Ali spooned a simple catch to Ashwin at cover, before the very next ball, Odin Thomas got a healthy edge, but Hobbiss was unable to hold the chance at second slip. Logan was back in the act soon after with some textbook test match cricket. A beauty took a fine edge from Shaunak Sen and Potter gratefully accepted the chance at 1st slip.

The introduction of Mohammed Azhar, as it has done all season so far, meant that scoring was still tough for the home side, and the pressure soon told when Thomas set off for a single but Ashwin was down smartly to pick up and throw and Foster did the rest.

Thomas and Dulsara began the rebuild job for Nettleham and we're doing a good job of it. But on the stroke of drinks, and after a couple of expensive overs, Ed Mayell snuck one past the advancing Thomas and Foster duly removed the bails before Harry Armstrong took a wonderful catch on the 45 from Azhar to remove the dangerous Dulsara for 49 and suddenly the momentum had shifted.

Armstrong was then introduced into the attack and the young leg spinner bowled with great control and skill. He was unfortunate to go wicketless but his 6 over spell yielded a very respectable 0-33 and between himself and Stuart Biggs, they had ensured the home side were well below the required run rate for the chase.

Ashwin and Azhar then came back to the attack, and both struck immediately. Ashwin bowled both Ben Ward and Ashcroft in the same over, before Azhar was able to see the back of Oliver Ward and Bromfield.

Some final wicket resistance from Wigfield and Pickering frustrated Burghley for a while before Potter bowled a toe crushing yorker to Pickering and Nettleham were all out for 220. Another resounding victory for the Park side that takes them to 4th in the table.

They now look forward to the visit of Woodhall Spa this weekend, with the added benefit of half term meaning that availability is looking very strong.

This match was sponsored by RTK.