Newton Poppleford entertained Tipton St John on Sunday for the Otter Trophy, writes Richard Coombs.

With the hosts not having lost at home to their neighbours for three years, Newton Pop were keen to ensure they maintained that record.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat and after a cagey start Newton`s young openers Zac Thomas and George House soon settled with the former taking a particular liking to the long hops of Williamson.

Thomas was first to go, caught for 32 and, when House was also caught for 22 Tipton struck again with O`Higgins bowling Lee for a duck.

Captain Ken Clay joined son Tom and just when a decent partnership was developing O`Higgins got one to stay low and Tom Clay was bowled for 27.

The evergreen O`Higgins then took a catch to dismiss Ken Clay for 14 to go with his 3 for 15.

Coombs and Hill didn`t stay around long and suddenly Newton were looking for a wag of the tail to bring some respectability to the score line.

That Newton got to 143 was down to Raistrick with a typically bludgeoning 17, Chatwood with 11, but the highlight has to be Marsh`s two boundaries that even included an attempted reverse sweep!

Tipton`s reply got off to a bad start when Jessop was bowled by the pace of House and when Stone removed both Dawson and Gibbins in quick succession Tipton were reeling at eight for three.

Mason and Pickering then became entrenched, taking no chances, they saw off the opening pair of bowlers, but runs were a rarity.

The introduction of Marsh and Chatwood offered no respite, but this stubborn partnership wasn`t broken until the 27th over when Marsh bowled Mason for five.

Paul Williamson launched a maximum over leg, but Marsh bowled him next ball and finished with 3-16 when Hill took a ridiculous catch at silly mid off to remove John Williamson.

Pickering was the pick of Tipton`s batsmen, but, running out of partners, Chatwood got him to play on for 29 who then removed Channon when he skied one to Tom Clay.

Tipton`s reply was ended when Coombs wrapped up the tail, Wright chipping one to Thomas and Birch undone by a rare straight one.

Tipton finished on 73 all out and the Otter Trophy was returned to it`s now familiar home at the Cannon Inn.