Tipton St John’s 82-year-old bowler takes four wickets in latest team win

Tipton St John CC batsman Alex Tubbs. Picture PHIL WRIGHT (Image: Archant)

Captain David O’Higgins protected his fielders from the hot sun by electing to bat first. The top four batsmen all had a start, but none reached 50.

Phil Tolley was caught behind on 28 and David Thayre made 39. Keith Collins was forced to retire with hamstring problems on 18, but at least he made it onto the field, unlike Dave Jessop, who left early after feeling unwell.

Alex Tubbs in his first game of the season top scored with 45. To make matters worse, Tipton could only field 10 players so when Tubbs was dismissed, Collins came back onto the field with a runner.

He could only score four more, but David Birch (11 not out) marshalled the tail, especially Mark Channon, who hit 13 off just five balls to enable Tipton to reach 193-6

David Birch opened the bowling and produced a very economic spell taking 1-17 in eight overs. However, it was David O’Higgins at the other end that caused the visitors problems. He took wickets in each of his first three overs and despite conceding a smattering of boundaries, took a fourth to leave Clent on 34-4.

Middle order resistance was ended when Channon bowled Bishop for 28, who then took a catch off Phil Wright to remove Andy Law for 35.

Channon took 2-17 as Clent were dismissed for 114, but it was O’Higgins with 4-43, just a week before his 82nd birthday who made the headlines. He only needs four more wickets to reach 900 for Tipton, and he only joined them when he was 60!