Louth CC U15s defeat Market Rasen in cup final

Louth CC Under 15s were crowned cup kings after beating Market Rasen in a re-arranged final held over from last season.
From left, back: Matthew Ashford, William Laughton, Patrick Byrne, Harry King, Luke Johnson, Jack Leeming; front: Bailey Wright, Josh Carrington, Richard Bell, Edward King, Abbie Johnson EMN-160605-155411002From left, back: Matthew Ashford, William Laughton, Patrick Byrne, Harry King, Luke Johnson, Jack Leeming; front: Bailey Wright, Josh Carrington, Richard Bell, Edward King, Abbie Johnson EMN-160605-155411002
From left, back: Matthew Ashford, William Laughton, Patrick Byrne, Harry King, Luke Johnson, Jack Leeming; front: Bailey Wright, Josh Carrington, Richard Bell, Edward King, Abbie Johnson EMN-160605-155411002

Rasen won the toss and asked Louth to bat first in overcast conditions and they started steadily, going along at three runs per over before captain Richard Bell was caught for eight.

Further wickets fell quickly as Bailey Wright (0) and Matthew Ashford were dismissed cheaply, but opener Will Laughton (30) and Luke Johnson (18) built a steady partnership before both were dismissed.

And when Harry King departed for nine, Louth were in trouble at 70-6. But a partnership between Josh Carrington (23) and top scorer Patrick Byrne (31) changed the match.

Abbie Johnson (20 not out) with help from Eddie King (8) and Jack Leeming (1 not out) saw Louth to a very respectable 177-9 off their 40 overs as the team added 79 in the last 15 overs.

After tea and a brief rain break Louth knew they had to bowl well on a good pitch with a fast outfield.

Leeming struck early when he trapped one of the opening batsman lbw, but after 10 overs Rasen were scoring freely at four an over when the rain came again.

After another break, Eddie King struck thanks to a sharp catch from his brother Harry before spin was introduced at both ends.

Leg spinner Wright turned the game on its head, first dismissing top scorer Bedford (35) thanks to a superb diving catch in the deep by Richard Bell.

Wright when on to take four more wickets, finishing with excellent figures of 8-0-30-4.

Leeming (8-1-21-2) returned to take another wicket, while Johnson (7-2-19-1) and Eddie King (5-0-21-2) also struck including an excellent juggling catch by Leeming.

Captain Bell (7.2-0.12-1) finished the innings off with Rasen all out for 128 to give Louth a 49-run win.

Louth CC would like to thank Market Rasen for their hospitality.

The game also marked the end of Lee Freeman’s reign as team manager. Every player and all parents offered warm thanks to Lee for all of his hard work.