Captain Corden spurs Louth to victory with superb all-round display
A superb all-round captain's innings from man of the match Tom Corden saw his century and four wickets help Louth to a 72-run victory away at Cleethorpes in the Lincolnshire Premier League Championship North on Saturday.
Louth sit fourth in the league with three games in hand on most.
Cleethorpes won the toss and invited Louth to bat.
Young debutant Harry Hall and Mike Brown opened for Louth.
Despite some resistance, they lost early wickets with Hall (5), Garner (7), A West (0), Lake (13) and an unfortunate dismissal of Brown (13) after looking in control and set, Louth finding themselves 43-5 and behind the game.
However, this brought to the crease Henry Tye and Corden.
Showing resolve and quality they steadied the innings, taking Louth from 43 to 130 with a partnership of 87 that laid the foundation for the rest of the innings.
Tye finally fell for a controlled 30.
Louth still had work to do to set a competitive total and Corden continued to take the innings on his shoulders.
With vital support from G. West (8), Byrne (10), Grayson and Adams, he showed his class by bringing up a special 103 not out from 101 balls to the applause of all watching.
It was a real captain's knock and, apart of 170 runs, got Louth to 213-9 at the end of their innings.
Louth's bowling attack started with Corden himself and the in-form Pat Bryne.
Continuing his fine form, Bryne got another wicket in his first over.
Soon after Corden removed a Cleethorpes batsman and they were 19-2.
Bryne charged in for 10 straight overs and got himself another wicket, finishing 2-35.
The dangerous Lake (2-23) came into the attack and removed two Cleethorpes batsmen to leave the home side 66-5.
It was then over to young spinners Grayson and A. West.
Cleethorpes rebuilt their innings and got themselves to 131 before the reintroduction of Corden to cement his special Man of the Match performance, claiming two wickets in an over and finishing his spell 4-33.
Alfie West continued his great form with the ball by finishing off the Cleethorpes innings with 2-19 as they were bowled out for139.
Louth, who are sponsored by Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese, host the George Marshall T20 at London Road Pavilion next Saturday, then continue their league campaign against table toppers Messingham at LRP week after.