After having a dozen fixtures cancelled this season for varying reasons, there was no way a soggy wicket, long damp outfield grass further and rain in the offing would put off the Tipton players from going ahead with their home meeting with Worcestershire-based touring side Kay’s, writes Phil Wright.

Sidmouth Herald: Tipton batsman Lawrence Walker hits outTipton batsman Lawrence Walker hits out (Image: Archant)

The visitors batted first and were restricted to 122-9 in a game reduced to 36 overs per side.

Mark Channon bowled well as usual with figures of 1-15 and was well supported by Kevin McMeeking (3-28) and Alex Tubbs (2-18).

Both Tubbs wickets we from short-pitched balls that slowly fell onto the stumps after the batsmen had completed their shots!

Tipton’s reply started well with Phil Tolley and Steve Walker making inroads into the total at the required rate, reaching 50 in the 12th over.

However, a change in bowlers dried up the runs. Walker was bowled for 34 by Clarke, who then had David Thayre caught behind after a short rain break.

The introduction of Ryan Edwards to the attack coupled with the attempt by the Tipton batsmen to up the rate led to a succession of wickets. He bowled Chris Tubbs for one and bagged the important wicket of Tolley, but not before the Tipton batsman had faced 92 deliveries in accumulating 37 runs prior to becoming wicketkeeper Clarke’s second victim.

Lawrence Walker scored five before earning Edward’s a third wicket. Paul Mason bowled Dave Alford and Kevin McMeeking who each managed just two runs. Edwards concluded his fine spell with 5-20 by removing Phil Wright (3) and Al Tubbs (13) as the tail folded. The last seven wickets fell for just 25 runs as Tipton were bowled out for 105 with Dave Dawson the last man out – bowled by the first delivery he faced.

So ended a match played in difficult circumstances, but at least we played and were able to give a touring team entertainment.