After one of the soggiest winters we have seen in years, Tipton St John’s 50th anniversary season got underway against neighbours Newton Poppleford.

Visiting skipper Kenny Clay was understandably uncertain as to how the wicket would play, so asked Tipton to bat first.

Tipton lost opener Tom Birch for 0 and David Thayre for 19, but a 115 run 3rd wicket partnership between Mark Burnard and John Buckland put Tipton in charge.

Burnard was the anchor whilst Buckland scored 84 off 58 balls before being caught by Matt Raistrick off Kieran White.

Tipton lost wickets regularly with Louis Adey taking 4-36. Burnard was one of his victims being caught and bowled for 35 from 82 balls.

Only Reece Whittington got into double figures, hitting a sprightly 25, until Lewis Davies struck the final two balls of the innings for sixes over long on.

Tipton closed on 228-9.

Sidmouth Herald:

Newton Poppleford’s reply started brightly with 2 boundaries off David Birch, but Kieran White was bowled by David Birch with the final ball of the first over for 4.

Soren Hall was then joined by Josh Harrison who jointly savaged Birch’s next 3 overs.

The normally frugal Birch was hit for 52 off 4 overs before being replaced by John Buckland.

Hall shared good partnerships of 62 and 52 with Josh Harrison (29) and Louis Adey (30).

However, Buckland took 4 wickets in 3 overs to change the course of the match.

The final blow came when Lewis Davies bowled Hall for a fine 63 scored from 59 balls.

Richard Coombs and Kenny Clay nearly took the visitors to within sight of victory, but Coombs was bowled by the returning Birch for 17 leaving Clay stranded on 17 once Leigh Adey was caught by Buckland off Smith.

Newton Poppleford were all out for 194 leaving Tipton victors by 34 runs.