Tipton come a cropper against Marldon

Following last week’s well-paced run chase, Tipton could not repeat the performance against a confident and youthful Marldon side who set a target of 205 to win, writes David Birch.

Marldon skipper Sam Rowsell, bereft of several regulars, drafted in a clutch of hungry young guns who proved too strong for a Tipton side beset by injury and advancing years.

Newcomer Tim Beattie lasted 10 overs in the field before landing painfully on his shoulder attempting a sharp catch at mid-off and Amelia Tolley had to leave the field bleeding from an earlier injury!

Nevertheless, Tipton had made a good start with skipper Dave Alford and David Birch only conceding 15 runs from their opening 10 overs, with Birch bowling Smith with the penultimate ball of his spell.

John Rodgers, making a welcome return to the Tipton colours, kept up the pressure with a tidy five-over spell while Mark Channon, in his first match of the season, removed Rowsell lbw for 37, in an uncharacteristically expensive spell. Glanfield laid about him for a quick-fire 47, which was brought to an end when Dave Thayre induced a skier which was pouched by Birch while everyone else averted their eyes. At the other end Dave O’Higgins was rewarded with four wickets for 48 but Marldon sustained their momentum and finished on 204-8.

There were very few highlights in Tipton’s paltry reply of 55 all out. The stand-out moment was a towering six over cover from Thayre, who was the only batsman to make it into double figures. Extras top scored with 23.