Bowlers were certainly ‘on top’ in the Tipton St John home meeting with Stokeinteignhead, a match that saw 16 wickets fall for as few as 14 runs, writes Phil Wright.
Stokeinteignhead were asked to bat first and were soon in trouble as David Birch removed three batsmen all without scoring and, suddenly the scoreboard was showing 10-3!
In those early wickets there were two more catches held by David ‘safe hands’ Thayre who has now held no fewer than 10 catches in as many matches in this truncated season.
Only Alex Haywood provided any resistance as three more wickets fell, one to Alford and two more to Birch.
Amazingly, Birch took 5-19 off seven overs and all five were out for ducks.
Amelia Tolley removed Haywood with her first ball thanks to a good catch by Mark Channon.
The score was then 46-7 of which Haywood had scored 40.
Tolley took two more wickets to end with 3-12 whilst John Buckland held a fine brace of catches.
The innings ended when Mark Channon, making his first appearance since May 2019, bowled the visitors second highest scoring batsman – Wills, who lost his stumps having scored eight runs!
Stokeinteignhead could only post 70, undone by the slow wicket enticing early shots resulting in six catches, as well as plenty of movement, thanks to the overcast conditions, for the home bowlers.
In reply, Tipton started badly thanks to good tight bowling.
They were soon 9-3 losing, John Buckland, Alex Tubbs and Dave Jessop for a combined six runs, all to Chris Saunders.
Phil Tolley, coming in down the order, provided some stability, but was dropped having scored just five.
Kevin McMeeking (8) and Chris Tubbs (2) did not last long so, at 35-5, it was a good job the target was small.
Dave Alford stayed with Tolley until he was run out with just six runs needed as Tolley remained not out on 27, one of only two players in the match to reach double figures.
A boundary by Tolley took the score to 74-6 and sealed a four-wicket success for the home side.
This Sunday (August 23), the visitors to Tipton will be Woodbury & Newton St Cyres.
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