Newton Poppleford welcomed neighbours, Tipton St John, to the Recreation Ground with all concerned delighted to be playing some cricket following the recent poor weather, writes Matt Raistrick.

Kenny Clay won the toss and asked the visitors to bat using a pitch that offered some uneven bounce to the bowlers. The opening pair of Matthew Raistrick and Ed Thomas kept things fairly tight both picking up wickets, though the extras column started to grow rather alarmingly.

A double bowling change saw Isaac Thomas and Andrew (Mac) Marsh enter the fray and although Thomas bowled well he ended wicket-less. Marsh bowled his usual "wibble wobble" and managed to pick up a wicket , Raistrick just managing to bend enough to take a low catch at mid on.

A mix up between batsmen enabled Matt Hill to quickly throw the ball to keeper Clay who ran out Robinson. The next bowling change saw Ben Stone and James House into the action. Ben's first delivery tempted the normally prolific Phil Tolley to drive and Tom Clay took a smart catch.

Stone and House took control with Stone finishing with figures of four for 11 from his eight overs and House finishing with two for 22.

Tipton's total of 87 including 26 extras probably made the home side favourites but these affairs are always tight and Newton needed someone to take control.

Following a delicious tea Newton 's reply started. Richard Coombs was quickly back in the pavilion mumbling something about the fact that he was at least still top of the bowling averages.

Tim Alsford stuck to his task hanging around whilst the match-winning innings was played by Thomas Clay.

Although Paul Williamson and Channon kept Tipton in the game, sending the first 10 overs down for only 26 runs, including four maidens from Channon, Clay began to cut loose and was eventually out to a smart stumping from Dickie Dawson off Pickering's bowling, his score of 61 included 10 fours and two sixes.

Matt Hill, Kenny Clay and Isaac Thomas all fell cheaply following the introduction of O'Higgins and Paul Williamson accounted for Raistrick as he tried to win the match with one of his trademark agricultural swipes.

It was left to James House and Ed Thomas to see the side home with nearly half the overs spare. Thank you to Tipton for providing the umpires and for playing the game in the right spirit which is always the case.

We look forward to visiting them later in the season .