Morning rain led to a late start a match reduced to 30 overs per side against London tourists Kings Road Cricket & Social Club.

Phil Tolley and David Rowe put on 95 for Tipton before Rowe was bowled for 45. Tolley retired on a hard-earned 51 considering the outfield was lush and damp. Three players were out cheaply looking for quick runs, as they helped Tipton reach 145.

Tipton’s opening bowlers Owen Smith and Mark Channon restricted the Kings Road opening batsmen, James Pinkney (28) and Sam Wright (20) to just 48 at the mid-innings break. John Buckland and Joe Birch then took two wickets each. With just five overs left 60, were still required when Doug Fair came to the wicket after occasional bowler Dave Jessop took a wicket thanks to a catch by Buckland.

Doug Fair should have been caught by Phil Wright on the boundary, from the first ball of the 28th over, but his escape allowed Fair to score 24 from this Jessop over with four boundaries and a six. The target was down to 19 by the last over bowled by Buckland. Fair scored a six from the first and last balls, but his team ended just three runs short in an exciting finish.