Tipton travelled to All Saints for the second time this season on Sunday in search of a double after a comfortable victory earlier in the season, writes David Birch.

It would be stretching a point to say that, when the match was abandoned because of rain in the early evening, Tipton were robbed by the weather. At this point they were 48-2 chasing 234 to win.

Skipper David Birch lost the toss and Tipton were invited to field first. Birch opened the bowling with himself and Mark Channon and made the first breakthrough when he trapped Short LBW for 12.

This was to be Tipton’s last success for a while as Bray and Seward built a dominant partnership of 143. All Saints were heading for a total of over 250 when Bray eventually lofted Channon into the safe hands of Alec Pace at long on.

Bray’s 119 dominated the home side’s innings: Phil Wright was unlucky to bear the brunt of his straight hitting (Bray faced all but 3 of the off spinner’s 48 balls) in an otherwise excellent spell.

Robin Pickering was similarly unlucky not to claim a wicket, as he extracted plenty of turn and bounce from a helpful wicket. Birch ended with a tidy 1-31 and Dave O’Higgins claimed the remaining two wickets to fall to finish with 2-41.

Tipton had bowled and fielded well with little reward, with Dave Jessop unluckily marking his 100th appearance with a dislocated finger as he went for a difficult catch at midwicket.

Tipton’s reply began brightly enough with Pace and Phil Tolley (who made 18 not out) rattling on at nearly 5 an over.

When Pace fell for 18 and Tim Oakley followed soon after, the task was beginning to look very demanding.

The rain brought the game to a disappointing end, but it was Tipton who were most relieved by its intervention.