BURNHAM CC captain Harveer Gandam is focusing on the positives from a five-wicket defeat against High Wycombe on Saturday.

Batting first on the opening day of the new Home Counties Premier Cricket League season, Burnham were bowled out for 157 after 48 overs.

Karan Kumar top scored with 48 and Gandam added 44, whilst Kyle Simmonds led the High Wycombe bowling attack with figures of 3-25.

In reply, the visitors reached 158-5 to win with three overs to spare. Adam Hose (31) and Alan Duncan (29*) all making contributions.

Wickets were shared amongst the bowlers, and Gandam was impressed with his team’s positive attitude, though he stresses Burnham must learn from the defeat.

Speaking to The Observer, he said: “Obviously losing is never good but we’ve got to dust ourselves off and go again.

“We’ve got one of the youngest sides in the league and the ability is there, but our mental application is something we need to work on.

“If you don’t get a result it does make a difference but sometimes you learn more from a defeat.

“The match in a sense was actually a lot closer than the scoreline suggests. It wasn’t ideal but we did fight.

“We nearly pulled off a good victory but High Wycombe took risks and won the game.

“We were positive in the field and showed what we could do. I won’t hide and we stood up, but a dropped catch probably cost us the game.

“We knew that we were well placed but didn’t execute the plan. We needed a few more runs but our attitude in the field was good.” Gandam continued: “We managed to bat 48 overs and to be fair It was a difficult pitch to score runs on. A little ‘tennis ball like’ and not easy to trust the surface.

“We could’ve adapted better to the wicket but it’s still early season and it does take a bit of time.

“In fairness, 185-190 would’ve been a competitive total but we were short of that, which has been a problem over the years. We’re always 25 runs short of a decent score.

“It was easier in the morning with the new ball and Karan could’ve kicked on, but it’s a learning curve and taking them all of the way was not a bad game.” Burnham travel across Berkshire to Reading this Saturday (11.30am start) and Gandam is not taking the newly-promoted side lightly.

He said: “I’m very excited because we’re good friends with Reading, but you don’t have an easy game in this league.

“In practise when you go out there everyone is a good side and we’ve still got to go and give 100 per cent.

“We will not take it lightly and still give Reading the same respect as anyone else.” **PICK up a copy of The Observer on Twitter for all the latest sports news and action, including pictures from Burnham against High Wycombe** **FOLLOW The Observer on Twitter at @Observer_sports**