After the weather affected the away match against Market Deeping, BPCC 2nd XI were keen to get as many points as possible as they hosted at the Park.
Deeping won the toss and elected to bat. Their start however hadn't taken into account debutant Lawrence Rayner who opened the bowling with accurate pace, supported at the other end by the dependable Lewis Banthorpe. With no runs on the board after 3 overs, nerves were starting to show and Rayner struck early, bowling Donaldson for a duck with a Jaffa. Rayner then followed up by dismissing the other opener, McMullen for only 6, aided by a smart catch by Briault in the slips.
In the heat the bowlers started to tire. Mo Azhar and Nick Fisher bowled well, although Deeping created a few partnerships with Pickering and Saad getting into the 40's before falling to an excellent bowling and fielding display from the Bears.
Harry Armstrong took 3 quick wickets in questionable fashion, one of which was expertly caught by Raynor from a rank full toss! Banthorpe came back on at the end to get rid of Saad, along with Raynor from the other end to pick up his 4th wicket and restrict Deeping to 166 for 8 from their 45 overs, Raynor ending up with 4 for 26 off his 9 overs.
Burghley started well, Briault and Armstrong putting on a 50-run partnership before Armstrong snicked behind for 14, Briault fell for 36 after some lazy running and a direct hit, Harker-Brown only added 10 before being caught and that then gave way to the partnership that secured the win for BPCC.
Matt Davies and Charlie Sharpe put on a 92-run partnership and although both didn't quite reach their half century, with Davies going for 41 and Sharpe 46, Badley Hurn and Lawrence Raynor came in with only a few needed to see the bears home with 11 overs to spare!
Probably the best display of the season in the field, next week is away at Long Sutton.
This match was sponsored by King West