Having won the toss and chosen to bat, Burghley struggled to build any lasting momentum in their innings. Early wickets set the tone, with Josh Gallimore departing for a duck from just the 3rd ball of the match. Orton’s opening bowlers were able to extract just enough movement to keep the batsmen honest. Armstrong and Sharpe started a rebuild, with Sharpe being the aggressor of the two, before falling for 23. Armstrong was more watchful and was next to depart for 16. However, the departure of these two brought about a classic Burghley collapse, despite a couple of brief recoveries in the middle order, with Hurn (16) and Sorensen (36) being the only of the middle order to make it to double figures. Biggs chalked up his first duck of the year, playing all round a straight one, and low scores from Banthorpe (3), Azhar (2) and Harker-Brown (2) meant there was little support from the lower middle-order. Burghley never managed to wrestle control of the innings, regularly losing wickets and failing to establish any substantial partnerships. A very helpful 13 runs from Alex Marshall at 10 secured a second batting point, but the Burghley bating innings came to a premature end.

The hosts were bowled out for just 127 inside 37 overs – a total that always felt below par against a side of Orton’s calibre. While a few batsmen got starts, none were able to push on and anchor the innings. Credit must go to Orton Park’s bowlers, who maintained disciplined lines and lengths throughout, backed up by sharp fielding that kept the pressure firmly on.

In reply, for the second time this season, it was Biggs and Banthorpe to open the bowling. Both bowled in the right areas with good pace but were unable to make the breakthrough; however, they were able to limit the scoring and after 10 overs had put the home side in a good position. Despite an well-earned breakthrough from the leg-spin of Armstrong (replacing Banthorpe), Orton’s top order played with composure and intent, punishing anything loose and rotating the strike with ease. They managed to get away a few boundaries which looked to ease any nerves, and from there, the result rarely looked in doubt.

Burghley’s bowlers toiled hard and picked up a second wicket midway through the innings with Harry Sorensen taking an excellent catch in the deep from the bowling of David Popple, but with such a modest total to defend, the margin for error was slim. Orton cruised to their target in just 24.2 overs, finishing on 129 for 2 to seal a dominant victory.

It was a frustrating day for Burghley Park 2s, who will know they didn’t do themselves justice with the bat. However, with lessons to take from the defeat, they’ll look to bounce back in their next fixture in three weeks’ time and finish the last two games of the season on a stronger note.