Winning the toss, new skipper James Biggs asked the visitors to bat first on what looked like a decent pitch but with something in it for the bowlers. However, the Bears got off to an inauspicious start, with Biggs opening proceedings with 4 consecutive wides. Overseas Chris Logan’s opening spell rang true of the adage of the quicker it comes the quicker it goes, with the new ball flying off all areas of the bat, and not always the middle. The first breakthrough came off the bowling of Joe Youngs, who found the edge of Herrock’s bat and into the hands of debutant Josh Weller. Josh Smith and Joe Malton then built a partnership for Newborough adding 103 runs before Mo Azhar removed Smith for 74. A strong fightback after drinks saw Burghley limit the runs. Logan was re-introduced and bowled with good aggression and didn’t quite get the result his efforts deserved, finishing up with 2/54. J Biggs came back on to close out the innings with Joe Youngs replacing Logan. Biggs claimed 3 wickets in this spell to finish on 3/33 and Youngs ended up with 2/34. After 45 overs, Newborough had made 229/8.

The run chased starred another debutant in James Laud. Laud joined the club from Oakham this year, and fitted straight into the opening berth and wasted no time in showcasing his talent. Opening up with Josh Gallimore, the pair moved nicely to 59 before Gallimore was bowled by Vamshi for 22. Josh Weller booked himself a seat at Duck Phall with a 7-ball duck, mistiming a shot to point for the fielder to take a good diving catch. This brought in David Platt, and together Platt and Laud moved the score on nicely to 102. Platt then departed chasing a wide delivery, edging behind for 14. Laud continued to play his shots and respect the good deliveries, having moved faultlessly past 50. Joe Youngs joined him in the middle and looked typically composed, playing some nice shots before hitting one straight down gully’s throat with the score 165. It was then Logan’s turn to join up with Laud, and between then they turned the rest of the run chase into a formality. Laud brought up a chanceless 100 on debut, showing maturity beyond his age. He expertly marshalled the run chase to finish on 112* from 116 balls, and Logan added 20* as Burghley secured victory in 40.4 overs. A man-of-the-match performance from Laud that shows a lot of promise for the rest of the season.

A 19-point start for the Sunday 1s is a great start, and next week Long Sutton make the trip over to The Park.

Thanks to RTK Stamford for their sponsorship of this match.