Louth beat rivals Nettleham to seal runners-up spot

Third placed Louth travelled to second placed Nettleham knowing the task ahead and succeeding, the second place an achievement in itself after considerable adversity faced throughout the season.

Winning the toss Louth chose to bowl.

A promising start once again from in-form Pat Byrne saw him take a wicket with the second ball of the game after a smart catch from Josh Brindle.

Tom Corden soon joined the wickets and Nettleham were 10-2 and soon after 36-3 thanks to another from Corden.

Byrne finished another impressive spell off his 10 straight overs, getting 1-24.

Koen came into the attack and bowled well without much luck (0-20) as the Nettleham innings settled down.

The introduction of captain Jason Collinson got Louth back on top with a spell of 10 overs for eight runs and three wickets.

Leg spinner Househam (1-49) got himself a wicket, but it was the reintroduction of the quality of Corden that finished off the Nettleham resistance, taking three more wickets and helping himself to 5-27 as Nettleham finished on 148.

Ethan Garner also took five catches behind the stumps.

However, it was still a chase that would need considerable effort from the Louth batsman.

That effort was epitomised by openers Harry Hall and the reliable Pete Wargent.

They fought through testing opening spells from Nettleham and on a hard working 63 partnership, setting a great foundation for Louth to go on and reach the total, Wargent ending on 38 and Hall 18.

Garner (2) fell soon after with Louth 69-3 and work to do.

Henry Tye and Collinson set about steadying the Louth chase, easing Louth to 105 until Collinson (19) fell and Tye soon after for a valuable 23.

But on 119 with their target in sight. Househam and Corden cruised Louth home. Corden seeing Louth over the line with back-to-back fours in the 45th over.

Player of the match was Tom Corden for his 5-27 and 20 not out.

Louth finish off their Championship season away at Lindum this weekend.