Joe Birch stroked his way to a maiden century as Tipton met London-based outfit Boffins.

Tipton batted first against London-based Boffins.

Opening pair Phil Tolley and Kevin McMeeking batted cautiously.

McMeeking profited from boundaries to backward point but, having reached 10, was caught off Arnold. Tim Oakley, Jim Bugler and Chris Tubbs followed and at 44-4 Tipton were in trouble.

After a slow beginning Joe Birch started to find the boundary with regularity. Meanwhile, Tolley, was becalmed and trying to force the pace was caught for 23. With Dave Dawson following for 10 and Al Matthews (one), Tipton had reached 115-7 when Birch was joined by his father David. Joe reached his 50 and continued plundering the Boffins bowling, being supported by Birch Snr as he advanced on his century.

On 99 Joe had an enormous amount of luck. He launched a ball to deep mid off and into the hands of the waiting fielder – and out again. So his maiden century was reached in 72 balls.

David was out leg before shortly after for one, the pair put on a partnership of 68 for the eighth wicket. Joe was joined by Phil Wright, who managed to give him plenty of strike. The pair completed a partnership of 50 for the ninth wicket as Tipton closed on 233-9. Joe Birch finished 141 not out in just 98 balls.

So Tipton had a good total to defend and started well when Bugler bowled Bishop for one. The Boffins batsmen found scoring easy. David O’ Higgins took two wickets, helped by catches by Dawson and Tubbs although proved expensive, conceding 58 runs.

Joe Birch bowled Robson (56) with a quick ball and Wright had Lowe caught superbly by Dawson. At 106-5 in the 18th over, Tipton thought victory was possible. However, new batsmen, Arnold & Lowe had other ideas. Arnold was eventually caught by Bugler off David Birch for 30, but at the other end, Lowe was in full flow, being 89 not out as Boffins won with two overs to spare.