Neither side were at full strength in Tipton St John’s ‘derby’ at Newton Poppleford, and it was the home side that prevailed, chasing down the Tipton target with relative comfort.
Batting first, Tipton were soon in trouble losing Nick Wright caught by Ash Chessum off the bowling of Ash Perram for a single. Dave Thayre had escapes being dropped twice before his luck ran out, caught by Tony Cox, the first of four wickets for James England (4-21).
He didn’t have long to wait for the second as Al Matthews was caught by Charlie Gaywood first ball. Opener Phil Tolley had only scored 10 before he was caught at midwicket by Kiran White off Chris Davis. When Amelia Tolley (1) fell to the Cox/England partnership and with the score teetering on 49-5, captain Cox took off his main bowlers and Tipton were able to make a recovery.
Jem Gillham went for 3, but young Sam Stone, making his first Tipton appearance, joined Adam Gibbins, and they held out for an hour against some wayward bowling, which accounted for many wides.
The partnership reached 54 when more experienced bowlers returned and ended the innings. Stone was caught having scored a lengthy 3, and David Birch followed LBW to Leigh Adey for 0. With overs running out Gibbins, struck a couple of boundaries and sixes before being bowled by Adey, having reached 44 in a total of 140.
Tipton had an early success when Charlie Gaywood was caught by Phil Tolley off the bowling of daughter Amelia for 6, but then Leigh Adey and Tony Cox took charge. Cox reached his 50, including nine boundaries and retired.
Chris Davis was caught by Adam Gibbins off the bowling of Phil Wright trying to hit a straight six, but this only brought in Matt Raistrick who kept the boundaries flowing. Adey retired having reached his 50, as Newton closed in on victory with 20 overs to spare.
Next Sunday, Tipton are at Stokinteignhead, while Newton can be delighted with the result after just losing their opening friendly of the season against Lympstone.
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