Burghley Park CC Sunday XI made the trip to Newborough looking to build on recent performances, but ultimately came away second best against a strong home side who claimed a convincing 124-run victory.

After losing the toss and being asked to field, Burghley actually started reasonably well, with early wickets preventing Newborough from fully settling. OJ Plank struck first to remove Joe Malton, before James Biggs chipped in with the wicket of Sam Jarvis.

The innings was then steadied by George Woods and Sam Malton, who put together the key partnership of the day. Woods accelerated impressively for 51 from just 48 balls, including two sixes, before Raiffe Headley broke through. Malton continued to anchor the innings, compiling a well-made 66 before eventually falling to Stuart Biggs.

Biggs was the pick of the Burghley bowlers, finishing with 3-45 from 7.3 overs and collecting several important wickets through the middle and lower order. Ryan Gilmour also impressed late on with 2-17 from three overs, while Joshua Weller’s nine-over spell cost just 30 runs and helped keep the scoring under control for long periods.

Despite those efforts, Newborough’s total was boosted significantly by extras, with Burghley conceding 31 in total, including 21 wides, as the hosts were eventually bowled out for 252 in 44.3 overs.

In reply, Burghley’s chase never really recovered from a disastrous start. Joshua Weller fell in the opening over for his first duck of the season, and when Ryan Gilmour and Charlie Biggs followed shortly after, the visitors were struggling at 31-3.

Raiffe Headley and Ewan Williams briefly rebuilt the innings with a positive partnership, both finding the boundary regularly, before Newborough again struck in quick succession. Caius Headley battled hard for 24, while Stuart Biggs added a defiant late 14, but wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals.

Joe Mills proved particularly effective for the home side, taking 4-30, while Sam Jarvis and Vamshi Parvathaneni both claimed two wickets apiece as Burghley were dismissed for 128 in just over 30 overs.

It was ultimately a difficult afternoon for Burghley, who showed flashes of promise with both bat and ball, but were unable to recover from losing wickets too regularly throughout the chase.

This match was sponsored by Hardy Construction.