Despite doing the correct thing and calling heads, skipper James Biggs lost the toss and was invited to bowl first. This was Burghley’s first fixture against Boston this season, as the home fixture was conceded earlier in the season due to Boston being unable to raise a side. Last weekend’s fixture coincided with the Boston first XI not having a game, so their side was bolstered with availability.

Opening the bowling for the first time this year was last season’s dependable pairing of James Biggs and Lewis Banthorpe. It has been an injury-cursed season for Biggs, and this was only his second competitive bowl of the season, but managed to keep in tight in his opening spell, only conceding 9 runs from 4 overs. He should have had the foresight to leave it there…! Banthorpe bowled with his usual dependency, and after 10 overs the run rate was around 3, proving a strong start for the Bears. This was further supported with the introduction of Josh Gallimore’s off-spin. Using his height, he was able to extract some lively turn and bounce from the pitch. Bowling 9 straight through, he finished with figures of 2/43. Following Banthorpe’s opening salvo, the leg-spin of David Popple was introduced. Popple was able to claim the big wicket of Ben Troops, trapping him LBW for 17. Following a 5-over spell for Popple, more spin was introduced, this time the off-spin of Harry Sorensen. Harry’s spell was able to account for 3 wickets, as he claimed his side’s best bowling figures of 3/40 from 9 overs. Up next was junior player Jack Collins. Jack did exactly as he was asked by his captain, bowling full and straight and challenging the batsmen. After four excellent overs, Jack had only conceded 12 runs from his spell. Replacing him was another junior, George Hoyles, making his senior debut for Burghley. He continued where Jack left off, and was able to claim a wicket, helped by a smart catch from Gallimore. After 3 overs, Hoyles had figures of 1/12. Both Jack and George should be very proud of their bowling efforts! To see off the innings, Banthorpe and Biggs we reintroduced, with the aim of keeping the Boston score around 185. Banthorpe obliged brilliantly, barely conceding any runs and bowling with good pace at the death. Biggs, on the other hand, showed his fatigue and lack of match readiness as he failed to hit his line and length consistently, allowing Boston to score some late runs and take the score to 209/8. Despite this, it was a really good effort in the field, and for a team that included 4 juniors it was something to be proud of.

Despite the total, there was enough batting quality in the side to have a go at the chase. However, unfortunately, this proved to not be the case. Opening the batting was Josh Gallimore, and, fresh off a Sunday ton last week, John Barker. Barker’s stay was brief, adjudged LBW despite two noises being heard. This brought Sorensen to the crease. He played with his attacking style, moving quickly to 12 before chasing a wide ball and being caught behind. Charlie Sharpe then joined Gallimore, but it was then soon Josh’s turn to depart as he was caught in the slips for 19. John Hoyles – father of George – was only able to bat for a short time before edging behind for a duck. James Biggs was next in to bat, forming a partnership that had played together only the day before at West Norfolk. And like the day pervious, Biggs nearly cost Sharpe his wicket with a calamitous run! Sharpe, however, did become the next man to fall, being trapped LBW by the left-arm-over bowler Lawson. Biggs was able to add 14, before being caught from another leading edge. Unfortunately, the rest of the batting didn’t last long, as Hannah Collins (0), Lewis Banthorpe (8), George Hoyles (3), and Jack Collins (0) all had brief stays in the middle, with David Popple scoring 6*.

Despite the result, there was a lot of positives from the day. The junior players performed really well, and their attitudes towards the game was first class. In a tough week for availability our thanks go to those who were able to step up to help – thank you.