After being asked to field first following Billingborough CC’s decision to bat, Burghley Park CC endured a difficult opening spell as Dylan Garfoot and Matt Carter took advantage of some loose early bowling to put the hosts firmly on top. James Biggs struggled to find consistency with the new ball and Billingborough capitalised, racing to 81 before the first wicket fell.

The introduction of Charlotte Aylmore brought immediate control and a shift in momentum. Aylmore removed Garfoot for 34 from 36 balls after the opener had struck five boundaries, before also dismissing Warren Nel just three balls into his innings. Her accurate nine-over spell helped stem the early flow of runs and gave Burghley Park a foothold back in the contest after Billingborough’s aggressive start. Nick Fisher, opening up with Biggs, bowled good areas and beat the bat on occasion, but was unable to claim a wicket in his first spell.

Despite that recovery, Carter continued to dominate through the middle overs with an innings of 89 from only 66 deliveries, striking 14 fours and a six. Ahsan Azhar eventually trapped him lbw with Billingborough on 153, offering Burghley Park renewed hope. Harry Armstrong then produced the standout spell of the innings, bowling with impressive discipline to finish with 3-25 from nine overs. Armstrong removed Aaron Pullum for 32 and Luke Light for a duck with some sharp stumpings from David Platt, and had Jacob Light caught by James Biggs for 32 to halt Billingborough’s moment um.

James Biggs recovered well after his difficult opening spell to claim three wickets of his own, finishing with 3-42. He dismissed James Zealand, Robert Arnold and Barriey Light as Billingborough lost wickets regularly late in the innings, while David Platt took two catches behind the stumps and Ahsan Azhar also caught one at slip. Fisher, back on for a his second spell, claimed a well-deserved dismissal with the final wicket of Shane George and Billingborough were eventually dismissed for 232 in 42.1 overs, a total that at one stage had looked likely to be considerably larger.

Burghley Park’s reply began positively enough, with David Platt striking 13 from 13 balls and Harry Sorensen making 17 from 21, but wickets continued to fall at key moments. Sorensen looked in good touch during a brief counterattack, hitting three boundaries before Shane George bowled him with the score on 32.

Stephen Harker-Brown battled through 24 deliveries for his 9 runs, while Bradley Hurn and Ahsan Azhar both found scoring difficult against accurate bowling from the Billingborough attack. James Biggs added 9 before being caught by Barriey Light off Jacob Light, and Harry Armstrong contributed 8 before becoming one of three wickets for Warren Nel.

Nick Fisher showed resistance with 14 from 27 balls and Robert Aylmore remained unbeaten on 14, including a six late in the innings, but Burghley Park were unable to build the substantial partnership needed to threaten the target and were eventually bowled out for 127 in 36 overs.

While the result was disappointing, Burghley Park can take encouragement from the fightback after a difficult start in the field. Next week sees the 2s play two T20s at home, in the first round of the new T20 cup competition.

This match was sponsored by Stamford Schools.