Lincs ECB Premier: Louth secure precious win at Skegness

Louth skipper Andy Carrington won the toss at Skegness and chose to bat first, leaving openers Laurence Scott and Keaton Critchell face the fast and hostile West Indian bowler Ray Jordan who has forced many top orders to crumble this season.

Scott and Critchell batted positively and confidently in an vital partnership that saw off the new ball and Jordan’s first spell.

The pair pushed on against a still challenging bowling attack of off-spinner Bariwala who has claimed many Louth victims in the past.

They brought up their 50 partnership before Critchell was bowled for 26.

Stu West, as always, looked to play shots, with some paying off until he was caught for 16. Bell (1) was out lbw, the first of five victims to Brackley’s off-spin.

Scott looked to reap the benefits of his hard work and pushed on past 50 before he was finally caught for 58.

Collinson (8) and Graham West (16) fell cheaply, but did see off another hostile, but wicketless spell from Jordan.

Louth were 128-5 off 35 overs and in need of more runs, and Tom Corden provided them. Showing his talent once again, he made a fluent and confident 33 off 30, supported well by Nick Keast (6), before he was bowled by Brackley.

Jordan returned to clean up the tail as Louth were bowled out for 173 inside 48 overs; a below-par score against an attacking Skegness batting line-up.

Critchell and Carrington opened up knowing there was no room for error, and despite opening with a no-ball, the Louth attack and fielders showed their class from there.

Critchell, bowling with pace and movement, and Carrington, finding movement both ways, were relentlessly accurate. Critchell struck with his fourth ball and Carrington with his third to leave Skegness 1-2.

The pair refused the batsmen any respite, supported by tight fielding and good catching, and had Skegness reeling at 11-5.

Home captain Chamberlain and Jordan looked to unsettle and attack the bowlers with some big hitting as Jordan’s wicket became vital, especially after an earlier drop.

Carrington delivered once again, bowling Jordan for 40 and having Chamberlain caught behind for 14 (58-7).

Keast (1 for 29) chipped in with a wicket after an equally disciplined spell, and when Carrington (4 for 27) removed himself from the attack, Critchell returned to finish the job.

As expected, following his earlier display, Critchell (5 for 33) delivered.

He had the last two batsmen caught by Graham West, making it five catches behind the stumps, and seven catches altogether for the Wests, as Skegness were rolled over for 95.

The win lifted Louth up to eighth in the Lincs ECB Premier, 20 points and three places above the relegation zone.

They will look to take this form and momentum into Saturday’s home game with Woodhall Spa (noon start).

Thanks to club sponsors Kenwick Park