In a biting wind and on a wicket that was firmer than most expected at Owmby, although still very green and soft, Louth lost the toss and were put in to bat.
It looked like the determination to get the game on and to repress any thoughts of the cold would be dealt a blow as at 22 for 3 off 13 overs Louth were still trying to get their season up and running.
However, a partnership of 89 then followed between Mark Roberts (30) and Graham West (56).
This began to swing the momentum back towards Louth with a target of around 160 thought to be competitive at the start of the game.
Matthew Crowther then came to the wicket and made an unbeaten 27. On the dismissal of Graham West an all too familiar mini collapse occurred, 4 wickets lost for the addition of just 9 runs.
It took the sting out of the Louth innings and meant time needed to be played out to ensure they did not concede any unused overs to the opposition. Louth made 183 in their 50 overs.
Messingham started their reply slowly with the opening bowlers for Louth (overseas player Nuwan Shiroman and Matthew Hamilton) restricting them to 21 for 2 off 13 overs.
Hamilton took both wickets, his first ECB wickets in just his third first team appearance. He finished the match with figures of 2 for 12 off 7 overs.
All six bowlers used played their part bowling tight lines and picking up at least one wicket each for very few runs.
Stewart West returned figures of 3 for 24 runs off 11 overs and was the highest wicket taker.
Messingham's innings petered out to 106 for 9 off 50 overs with a continued and driven effort by all the Louth players to make diving stops and chase every ball to the very last delivery.
Thanks go to Richard Coles of Froveg as club sponsor for his continued support and also to programme and match sponsor for Saturday's game Greenwich House School.