Tipton St John played hosts to a depleted Sidbury on Sunday and came out victors by six wickets.

Tipton’s skipper Paul Williamson won the toss and elected to field, opening the bowling with himself and Phil Tolley.

Tolley, more known as a destructive opening bat, took his promotion to opening bowler very seriously, meticulously setting his field and returning a very creditable first spell of four overs for only eight runs.

Williamson claimed the first two wickets, though, clean-bowling Higgs and getting McClellan caught by the dependable Dave Dawson behind the stumps. This was Dawson’s 37th victim this year, his highest tally in any season so far and, with 14 more matches left to play, 50 is a distinct possibility.

Chris Mason replaced Tolley and immediately took his first wicket for the club - Dave Jessop taking a high catch to dismiss Powell for a duck. Tipton looked well on top at this point, but batsmen Watson and Hills had other ideas.

They took the score from 20 for 3 to 108 before Hills was bowled by Dave Jessop for 57, which included 40 in boundaries. Watson continued to 68 not out and along with Derryman (23) and Welch (16), helped Sidbury to a total of 191.

Paul Williamson was the pick of Tipton’s attack with 3 wickets for 29 runs, although mention must be made of 13-year-old Danny Jessop for his performance in the field.

Tipton’s openers Dave Jessop and Jem Gillham set about Sidbury’s attack, quickly scoring 69 from the first 10 overs, before Gillham was out to Polak for 17.

Jessop (42) soon followed, as did Paul Williamson (11) and John ‘Granddad’ Williamson, who was adjudged lbw to Polak for eight.

Matt Williamson then joined Phil Tolley who, between them, took Tipton’s score from a worrying 99 for 4 in the 16th over to 193 by the 26th, thus giving Tipton a very comfortable win. Matt Williamson ended up with 17 not out, but the batting plaudits go to Tolley for his 70 not out.

Sidbury used six bowlers, the most successful being Hills taking 2 for 29, but their real problem was the lack of players – a cricket outfield is difficult to cover without a full side - but credit and thanks must go to those who did turn up and honour the fixture.