Tipton were grateful for fine weather for the visit of Welsh tourists Peterson Super Ely after having 11 of their opening 21 fixtures cancelled or abandoned, writes Phil Wright.

Steve Shaw bowled the tourists’ opener Tregear with just two on the board, but a steady partnership took the score to 77 before Shaw took a boot-high catch at mid off, the first of three catches he took in quick succession off the bowling of Phil Wright, including opener Watkins for 69.

Wright took 5-17 and Shaw 3-16 as the visitors were dismissed for 128.

In reply, opener Phil Tolley found partners reluctant to stay with him and wickets fell regularly.

However, at 112-6 with victory in sight, Tolley was caught on the boundary for a fine 75. As Tipton inched to victory, the last three wickets fell for just two runs, leaving the scores tied.

Before Sunday’s game against Chulmleigh, a minute’s silence was held in memory of Tipton player Nitin Purandare who collapsed and died during a match between the two clubs in May.

Chulmleigh were asked to bat and started slowly on a damp pitch.

A Paul Williamson hat-trick in the eighth over reduced Chulmleigh to 14-3, but a good partnership between Darch and Weeks, who each scored 41, repaired the damage and helped set a target of 131. Williamson finished with figures of 4-13.

In reply on a dryer pitch, Tolley (32) and Matt Williamson (41) took the score to 71 before an infamous Tipton tumble saw four wickets fall for five runs. Keith Collins (34no and John Rodgers steadied the ship and Tipton got home with five wickets and 10 overs to spare.

A special thanks to Chulmleigh for their support and contribution to the collection that Tipton are making for the Devon Air Ambulance that attended when Purandare died.