The friendly Bears were greeted with the largest outfield that has been played on this season and a pitch which had been used in the Notts Prem the day before. Skipper David Popple lost the toss but got his wish and was asked to bat first. The format for the match was a timed game with unlimited bowling overs and 20 overs from 4.45pm. Father and son openers Jim McIntosh and Robbie McIntosh got things going, however Dad managed to mis time a shot and was gleefully caught by Lee for 6. Kavin Viswanathan joined junior McIntosh and the pair kept the scoreboard ticking over before Robs lost his wicket for 18. ‘Keeper Charlie Sharpe joined Kavin and the pair continued to keep the score moving forward although Charlie's stay was only a brief one, falling for 3 runs. Charlie Biggs joined Kavin (who had progressed to 30) but the partnership was over in 3 balls as Kavin attempted one flick too many and was caught. A repair job was needed, and Harry Armstrong strode out to the crease with the encouraging words of his skipper Popple ringing in his ears. The pair repaired the innings and some by putting on a 78-run partnership. Biggs and Armstrong punished any loose bowling on offer and hit the boundaries and gaps as needed. Things were looking well set with Biggs approaching his maiden 50 however he mistimed a drive and was caught & bowled for a very well made and mature 41. Scot in exile, Danny Glasswell made a welcomed appearance for the Bears and joined Armstrong in the gap finding. The pair put on another 44 runs before Glasswell was caught for 12. Armstrong was left on 49 but with Nick Fisher at the crease, the pair continued the scoring and Harry soon nudged one to cover for his first 50. Harry's innings anchored the ship with Biggs and by finishing on 67*, showed what promise he and Biggs both have. Fisher hit the first 6 of the innings and the pair took the score to 228 before Popple declared.

Returning ex Bear, Richard Crossley and son Sam, opened the Burghley reply and soon the first wicket fell to Crossley Snr, bowling Bingham for 6. The Sloggers then put their foot down and soon had the score past 100. Popple and vice-captain McIntosh adjusted the field and soon slowed the scoring to a trickle. Sensing something was going to happen soon, Sam found the breakthrough and bowled the dangerous Crook for 77 and then soon accounted for Lee for 45. Crossley Snr finished with 8-0-65-1, Sam finishing 11-0-75-2. Popple and Fisher came onto see what they could do as the Sloggers mid-lower order was exposed and soon Fisher had them in knots with his tight line and length, including taking 3 wickets in 4 balls (over two overs). Popple was able to spin the ball hard but sadly his control was lacking at times; however he did pick up the well-set Marriot for 26. Fisher ripped the heart out of the Sloggers and finished with very impressive figures of 6-1-17-5. Despite a few dropped catches, Popple eventually took the final wicket of Lee for 16 (finishing 8.4-0-53-2) and the innings ended with The Sloggers falling 17 runs short. The game was played in great spirit with both captains agreeing to the format for next year’s return match at the Park.

The Bears now head up to Scotland for a day of serious beach cricket on the Saturday vs The Ship Inn and then on Sunday vs Falkland CC, who were runners up last weekend in the Scottish National Cup.

This match was sponsored by The Stamford Marquee Company