NEWTON Poppleford recovered from 73 for seven to knock off 108 to win against Tipton St John.

Tipton’s early partnerships ended just when the batsmen threatened to dominate.

Keith Collins (21) Dave Jessop (22) and Adam Gibbins (15) could not benefit from good starts.

There was good bowling by the home side with Greg House and Andrew Marsh claiming two wickets each.

Ben Stone, returning for a second spell, did the damage with 4-17.

Alec Tubbs made 12 as the tail succumbed and, after an extended rain break, Tipton were dismissed for 107.

An improved bowling and fielding performance led by David Birch reduced Newton Poppleford to 18 for three. But captain Richard Coombes led the recovery.

Coombes lost partner Matthew Raistrick, nicely caught by Dave Jessop giving Mark Channon his first wicket of the season.

Channon spurned a second chance, dropping an easy caught-and-bowled chance to dismiss Louis Adey, who had announced his arrival at the wicket with two sparkling boundaries.

Birch was not as generous, pouching the chance offered to him shortly after.

Birch finished his spell with excellent figures of 4-12 in eight overs.

With the score on 50 for five, Tipton were still in hope, especially when Adam Gibbins held on to the slippery ball to give David O’Higgins a wicket.

Poppleford’s 69 for six became 73 for seven shortly after when Dicky Dawson took a great catch to end Scott Newberry’s innings.

This bought George House to the crease with Coombes. They were determined not to give further alarms.

Coombes reached his 50 off 82 balls and was 53 not out and House 19 as the pair took the Popples to victory with just 15 balls to spare.

An enjoyable, if damp, game ended with the cup played between the teams remaining at The Cannon for another year.