It was just like old times, as Tipton St john embarked on their first Cornwall tour for three years and took the opportunity to pay a touching tribute to recently departed members of the club.
The tour was called ‘Remembering 422-5’ after five former players, vice presidents and supporters who we lost during lockdown with a combined age of 422: John Williamson, David O’Higgins, Graham Hembury, Al Bowley and Ron Whelan.
Tipton narrowly lost by 12 runs at Falmouth against Sea View Old Boys on Friday evening with Phil Essex top scoring with 30.
Sunday saw a win at Nancledra by six wickets. Mark Channon took 4-25 and John Buckland 3-2, as our hosts were dismissed for 132. Nick Wright with 40 and Joe Birch 37 helped Tipton chase down the target with eight overs to spare.
Sunday’s match at Redruth against Mt Ambrose was a sterner test. Opener Phil Tolley lost his partners Dave Thayre for 15 and Alex Tubbs and Al Matthews for ducks. However, with John Buckland, who had been dropped on 22, he added 112 before Tolley was bowled for 66.
Buckland hit exactly a century off 88 balls before retiring with the score on 226-5, hitting 11x4’s and 5x6’s. With Dave Alford not out at the end, Tipton reached 257-5 off their 40 overs.
Mt Ambrose suffered an early setback, losing two wickets, Wilson caught behind by Dave Thayre off Joe Birch and Haslam caught by Tolley off Paul Williamson. A good fightback by Joe Gregory (70) and Will Blackburn (25) threatened, until Channon broke the partnership, aided by a Buckland catch.
A great catch by Matthews off David Birch had Mt Ambrose at 130-5. The home side threatened once more when Liam Mankee hit a quick 30, but this was ended when Phil Wright took a catch off Buckland.
Wright took a couple of wickets before Luke Opie, who batted well at the end for 33, was stumped by Thayre off Channon as Mt Ambrose were all out for 199.
A great Tipton tour and a chance to remember five old friends.
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