Skipper Alex Ashwin once again elected to bat first, but unlike recent weeks, it wasn't the opening pair who got things rolling. Ryan Gilmour's afternoon lasted all of two balls before Ayub trapped him LBW, while James Laud could only manage five before Ayub struck again to leave Burghley wobbling early.

Thankfully, Mike Hobbiss looked much more like his fluent self, and alongside Ewan Williams, the pair launched a superb counter-attack. Boundaries flowed as they raced to 81 inside the first 10 overs, putting Grimsby firmly on the back foot.

The introduction of spin, however, changed the momentum. Cameron Maxwell produced one that barely got above ankle height to bowl Williams for an excellent 34, before Hobbiss' 32 ended when he picked out cover off Khan. When Olly Billington edged behind shortly afterwards, Burghley had slipped to 118-5 and were in need of a rescue act.

Ashwin and Raiffe Headley steadied things with a valuable partnership, adding some much-needed runs before Ashwin was pinned LBW for 12. Gareth Hook chipped in with four before Headley, after a well-made 42, was also adjudged LBW. Qadiri then wrapped up the tail, including a caught-and-bowled to dismiss Xavier Wildsmith, before Ayub returned to claim the final wicket as Burghley were bowled out for 207 in 37.1 overs.

Grimsby's reply got off to an absolute flyer. Harrison Tice and Qadiri flew out of the blocks, piling on 59 inside six overs before Raiffe Headley dragged Burghley back into the contest. He bowled Harrison Tice before, two balls later, H. Unsworth shouldered arms to one that cannoned into middle stump. Rumour has it he'd been taking leave-the-ball masterclasses from Ryan Gilmour...

Qadiri cruised past fifty alongside Hayden Tice as the hosts moved beyond 100, before Gareth Hook broke the partnership with a smart catch from Ruffell in the deep.

With just 27 needed, Mike Hobbiss was handed the ball for his first over of the season—and what an introduction it was. One over, one wicket, no runs. Cook departed for 14, neatly caught by Laud at mid-on, and suddenly there was the faintest sniff of something special.

Ruffell was then unleashed with a short-ball plan that almost paid off immediately. The very first delivery found the splice and looped towards James Laud at leg gully... only for the chance to go down. Hayden Tice was eventually bowled by one that barely got above grass height, finishing two runs shy of his half-century, before Wildsmith claimed another wicket to keep the pressure on.

Despite the late fightback, Burghley had simply left themselves too much to do. Grimsby crossed the line with seven overs remaining and four wickets in hand.

The focus now switches to the second half of the season. Sitting sixth in the table, the 1st XI will be looking to bounce back next weekend with a trip to Spalding.

This match was sponsored by J Wilson Plumbing.